The night is arguably one of the most dangerous times to be on the road. When you’re out in the dark, you’re dealing with the dangers of driving and also the risks of blindness. One of the best ways to protect yourself from these dangers is to use night driving glasses.
There are a few reasons why night driving glasses are beneficial. First, they help improve your vision in low-light situations, meaning you can see more clearly in the dark, making driving safer. They block most of the light from the environment, allowing you to see better.
Also, dark lenses can help reduce fatigue and increase alertness when driving at night. They also help reduce glare and eye fatigue, and improve your peripheral vision, letting you see traffic from all directions simultaneously.
Some people may find it difficult to adjust to night driving glasses, but with a bit of practice, they will become quite accustomed to them. However, if you are still having trouble adjusting after trying them out a few times, there are likely prescription versions of these glasses that would work better for you.
Overall, wearing glasses while driving at night is highly beneficial and can significantly increase your safety on the roads. Plus, law enforcement is less likely to get pulled over with nighttime drinks.
If you’re over 50, you may also have reduced vision in one or both eyes. In addition, your lenses may no longer be as strong as they once were, meaning that glare from oncoming headlights is more potent. And finally, if you’ve had cataract surgery or refractive surgery done on your eyes in the past – such as LASIK – your eyes may be more susceptible to night blindness.
All of these factors mean that it’s essential for older drivers to use glasses or other eye protection when driving at night. Glasses or additional eye protection will help reduce exposure to bright lights and glare and help keep you safe on the road.
Choosing The Right Pair of Night Driving Glasses for You
Type of Glasses You'll Need
The first thing to consider is what type of glasses you need. Two main glasses are used for driving at night: prescription and non-prescription.
Prescription glasses require a doctor's note but offer more protection than non-prescription glasses. Non-prescription glasses work just as well as prescription sunglasses regarding visibility while driving, but they may not have the same level of protection.
Types of Glasses Available
Another thing to consider is what type of glasses are available. A few different night driving glasses offer different levels of visibility and protection. Some examples include clear-lens sunglasses, yellow-tinted lenses, smoke-lens sunglasses, and polarised lenses.
Clear-lens sunglasses provide the most overall visibility and protection because they allow light into your eyes. They also tend to be less expensive than other types of night-driving glasses.
Yellow-tinted lenses block out 99% of the light from your eyes while still allowing you to see clearly. Smoke lens sunglasses help you see while driving in smoke and foggy conditions. They have a blue tint to them and are made of durable materials.
Polarised lenses create an interference pattern that blocks out 99% of the light coming into your eyes. This is the type of lens that is most commonly used for driving at night. It offers the most protection from glare and is the most expensive type of night-driving glass.
Size and Weight of Glasses
Another thing to consider is the size and weight of the glasses. Some night-driving glasses are lightweight and small enough to be worn daily. Others are intended for use while driving at night and may be heavier and larger.
Choose glasses that are comfortable to wear, regardless of the type of glasses.
How to Wear Night Driving Glasses Safely
Wearing night driving glasses is a necessary safety precaution when driving at night. Not only do they help you see better in low light conditions, but they can also protect your eyes from various hazards on the road. Here are a few tips to help you wear night driving glasses safely:
- Make sure your glasses are properly fitted. Wearing glasses that are not adequately fit can cause them to slip down your nose and end up being a distraction while driving. Ask your optometrist or ophthalmologist to provide you with night driving glasses designed for this purpose.
- Wear them when you need them, not all the time. Although wearing night driving glasses during the day may be helpful, wearing them every time you go at night is unnecessary. If you need them often when driving at night, it may be best to consider getting custom-fitted glasses instead of relying on generic models.
- Take care when adjusting them while driving. When changing your night driving glasses while driving, take care not to shift or steer abruptly, as this could cause the glasses to fall off your face. Instead, use gentle movement and steady hands to make adjustments without causing any problems.
- Keep them clean and dry. Night Driving glasses can get dirty and wet from rain or snowfall, leading to scratches or other damage to the lenses. Keep them clean and dry by storing them in a protective case or bag when not in use.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Always be mindful of your surroundings while driving at night. Be cautious when approaching or passing roadside obstacles or other vehicles, stay calm and take appropriate action.
Conclusion
If you're considering getting glasses for night driving, there are a few things to remember. First, if you've never worn glasses before, it's always a good idea to try them out before buying them. You can do this by going to an optometrist or eyewear store and trying on different glasses styles until you find ones that work best for your face shape and style of dress.
Secondly, make sure that the glasses you buy are prescription-ready. This means they will fit properly without any adjustments. Finally, take care of your glasses when not in use. Keep them stored in a safe place.
Like most people, you probably think of night driving as a thing of the past. After all, we live in a day and age where artificial light is readily available everywhere we look. However, there are still times when it's necessary to drive at night, and that's where glasses come in handy.