Driving at night has always been a bit of a challenge for me. The bright headlights of oncoming cars seemed to blur and scatter, making it hard to see clearly. I later discovered I have astigmatism, which explained a lot. It's like the world turns into a blurry light show after dark. If you're struggling with similar issues while driving, especially with the added challenge of night driving , you're not alone. Let me share what I’ve learned and what has helped me.
For a long time, I thought everyone saw the world the same way I did at night. City driving was the worst. So many lights, so much glare! Adding rain to the mix made it almost unbearable. I remember one particularly awful night. I was driving home after a long day, and the combination of fatigue and the rainy conditions made the headlights look like exploding stars. It was incredibly distracting and made me feel unsafe. I knew I had to find a solution.
My initial thought was to check my glasses. I've had an anti-glare coating on my lenses for years, and while it helps, it wasn't enough for night driving. I even considered going without the coating to see if it was making things worse, but I was hesitant. I decided to explore other options first.
One of the first things I did was focus on reducing glare. I realized glare was my biggest enemy. I started by meticulously cleaning my glasses, inside and out. I used a strong LED light in my house as a control to check for smudges or streaks. It made a noticeable difference. A clean lens is a happy lens, especially when dealing with bright lights.
Next, I paid attention to my overall health. I made sure I wasn't driving when I was overly tired or drowsy. I also kept an eye on my blood sugar levels, as fluctuations can sometimes affect my vision. Simple things like getting enough sleep and eating regular meals made a surprisingly big difference.
I also cleaned my windshield religiously, both inside and out. You wouldn't believe how much grime can build up on a windshield, even if it looks clean to the naked eye. A clean windshield reduces the scattering of light and improves visibility.
After some research, I stumbled upon some recommendations for specific types of eyewear that could help with astigmatism. I was particularly intrigued by photochromic glasses, which adapt to changing light conditions. That's when I found some interesting options at Cinily Net. I found a pair of Metal Frame Photochromic Myopia Glasses Anti-blue Light Color Changing Sunglasses.
I decided to give them a try. What caught my eye was the photochromic and anti-blue light feature. I figured the anti-blue light might help with the glare from modern headlights. It was interesting to see the glasses change depending on the lighting. The difference was subtle, but I did notice a reduction in eye strain during night drives. If you're looking for similar glasses, you can find them here: Metal Frame Photochromic Glasses. I wasn’t expecting a miracle, but any improvement was welcome. It's important to note that I still use my regular prescription glasses for most of my daily activities. These are specifically for driving.
For those who wear contacts, toric contact lenses can also make a huge difference. If you have astigmatism, your prescription should have a CYL (Cylinder) and Axis number that has been adjusted accordingly. I've heard from truckers that these lenses are game-changers for driving in all conditions.
Here are some actionable tips that have helped me navigate night driving with astigmatism: