Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar

(604) 670-4434

BOOK ONLINE
ONLINE STORE
MAPLE RIDGE EYE CARE
Menu
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Doctors
    • Our Team
    • Patient Reviews
    • In The Community
    • Insurance Information
  • Our Services
    • Eye Health Exams
      • Children's Eye Exams
      • Senior Eye Exams
      • Eye Exam FAQs
      • Diabetic Eye Exams
      • Eye Health Exam Vs. Sight Test
    • Contact Lens Exams
      • Contact Lenses for Astigmatism
      • Specialty Contact Lenses
    • Technology
      • iVue OCT Technology
    • Ocular Conditions
      • Astigmatism
      • Cataracts
      • Cataracts FAQ
      • Computer Vision Syndrome
      • Floaters & Flashes
      • Amblyopia
      • Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
      • Myopia Treatment
      • Conjunctivitis
      • Blepharitis
      • Presbyopia
      • Strabismus
      • Eye Allergies
      • Eye Allergies FAQs
    • Eye Diseases
      • Glaucoma
      • Narrow Angle Closure Glaucoma
      • Diabetic Retinopathy
      • Macular Degeneration
      • Macular Degeneration FAQs
    • Dry Eye Disease
      • Dry Eye Treatment Options
      • Dry Eye Care Clinic (DCC)
    • Emergency Eye Services
      • Foreign Object Removal
    • Latisse®
      • Latisse® Reorder Form
    • Lasik Surgery
  • Glasses
    • Brands We Carry
      • Lafont
      • Tom Ford
    • Frame Selector
    • Lenses
      • Progressive Lenses
      • Blue Light Filtering Lenses
      • Transitions & Polarized Lenses
    • Sunglasses
    • Other Eye Products
    • Sports Eyewear & Safety Glasses
    • Eyewear Satisfaction Guarantee
    • Progressive Lenses
  • Contact Lenses
    • Order Contacts Online
    • Are Contacts Right For Me?
    • Types of Contact Lenses
      • Scleral Lenses
      • Multifocal Contact Lenses
    • Contact Lens Recycling
    • Soft Vs. RGP Lenses
    • Tips for Wear and Care
    • Coloured Contacts
    • Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes
    • Contact Lens Brands
    • Contact Lens Fittings
    • Contact Lens Training Video
    • Contact Lens Hygiene and Safety During COVID-19
  • COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS
  • More
    • Contact Us
      • Schedule an Appointment Online
      • Patient Satisfaction Survey
      • Appointment Cancellation Policy
    • Eyecare Blog
    • 2020 Makeover Contest - A Style Transformation
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletters >
  • The Challenges of Night Driving and Your Vision

The Challenges of Night Driving and Your Vision

  • Created in Newsletters

Man driving at night

Do You Have Trouble Seeing While Driving at Night?

No matter what your age, night driving can be a little challenging, whether you're driving around the corner or across the country. Low lighting, glare, and other factors may make it difficult to see clearly and react quickly to hazards.

Why Driving Is Harder at Night

Your ability to drive safely at night may be affected by:

  • Availability of Street Lights. It's obviously more difficult to see in areas that aren't well lit. UK researchers discovered that injury severity increased by almost three times if an accident occurred on a road that had no lighting.
  • Glare. Glare, depending on the amount, can be a minor annoyance and or may make it impossible to see. You may experience more problems with glare from oncoming headlights as you get older.
  • Headlight and Windshield Problems. Dirty windshields and hazy or misaligned headlights can contribute to night vision problems.
  • Age-Related Vision Changes. In addition to trouble handling glare, natural changes in your vision related to aging may make night driving harder. As you get older, the muscles that control your pupil weaken, and the pupil becomes a little smaller. This means less light enters your eyes when it's dark. Rod cells also decline as you get older. These photoreceptor cells, located in the retina, are essential for good night vision.
  • Eye Diseases and Conditions. You may notice problems with glare and see halos around lights at night if you have cataracts. Cataracts occur when the clear lenses inside your eyes become cloudy. Other eye diseases and conditions that may affect night driving include macular degeneration, vitamin A deficiency, glaucoma, and retinal diseases.
  • Dry Eyes. Glare may seem worse if your eyes are too dry.

What You Can Do if You Have Trouble Driving at Night

Taking a few of these steps can help you drive safely:

  • Avoid Looking Directly at Lights. Minimize the effects of glare by shifting your gaze slightly to the side when oncoming cars come close to you.
  • Get Rid of Haze on Your Headlights. Discolorations on plastic headlight coverings can dim your headlights, making it difficult to see at night. If cleaning doesn't clear the headlight covers, buy new ones.
  • Realign Your Headlights: It's difficult to see the road ahead of you if your headlights aren't properly aligned. The next time you visit a mechanic, request to have your headlight alignment checked.
  • Do a Little Cleaning. Keeping headlights and your windshield clean will make it easier to find your exit or spot an obstruction in the road.
  • Keep Your Eyes Moist. Use artificial tears to lubricate your eyes if you have dry eyes. Blink more often to spread tears across your eyes.
  • Reduce Your Speed. Slow down if you're having trouble seeing. Decreasing your speed is a simple way to ensure that you reach your destination safely.
  • Drive During the Day if You Have Difficulty Seeing at Night. It's best to limit long trips, or even short ones, to the daylight hours if it's very difficult to see at night.
  • Visit Your Optometrist. If you've noticed that it's harder to see at night lately, it's a good idea to visit your eye doctor. Your optometrist can determine if the problem is caused by natural aging changes or eye diseases and conditions, like cataracts or glaucoma. If you do have a vision problem, your optometrist can recommend treatments or strategies that may help.

Are you concerned about your night driving ability? Call our office to schedule an appointment.

Sources:

Injury Prevention: Road Traffic Casualties: Understanding the Night-Time Death Toll, 4/2006
American Academy of Ophthalmology: Night Vision 12/19/18
Harvard Health Publishing: Blinded by the Night, 6/07

Car and Driver: Do and Don’ts For Safe Night Driving, 7/2/19

American Optometric Association: Senior Vision: Over 60 Years of Age

Safety Serve: Driving at Night

The National Safety Council: The Most Dangerous Time to Drive

  • Eyeglasses
  • Basic Visual Skills
  • All About Eyes
  • Protecting Your Eyes
  • Visual Rehabilitation
  • Pediatric Vision Issues
  • Glasses
  • Contact Lenses
  • Common Eye Conditions
    • Vision Impairment
    • Eye Lids
    • Changes in Appearance
    • Injury & Irritation
    • Age-Related
    • Cognitive and Acquired
  • Vision Problems
  • Eye Symptoms
  • Eye Diseases
  • A Child's Vision
  • What is Vision Therapy
  • Vision Therapy Programs
  • We Can Help With
    • Cataracts
    • Corneal Disorders
      • Disorders
    • Glaucoma
    • Refractive Disorders
    • Adult Strabismus
    • Retinal Disorders
  • Newsletters
    • Glasses & Frames
    • Contacts
    • Tips for Healthy Eyes
    • Conditions That Affect Vision
    • Kid's Vision
    • Amazing, Interesting Eyes
    • Medical Perspectives

Business Information

Contact Us

Maple Ridge Eye Care
23015 Dewdney Trunk Rd
Maple Ridge, BC V2X3K9

We're accepting new patients.
Languages spoken:
 English, Cantonese, Japanese & Mandarin.

Get Directions

  • Phone: 604-670-4434

Find us on Google

View Our Appointment Cancellation Policy

View our Eyewear Satisfaction Guarantee


Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Maple Ridge Eye Care

Monday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-8:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-8:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-8:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am-4:30 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Location

ONLINE STORE
  • Copyright © 2021 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map