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Astigmatism is a common eyesight issue that can negatively impact your night vision. It happens because of a defect in the curvature of the lens in your eye (cornea). In America, it affects about a third of the population. When the cornea assumes an abnormal shape, it can affect how you perceive light. This can result in blurry vision, affecting your ability to see well when driving at night.

How Astigmatism Affects Your Night Vision

You might know the effects of astigmatism if you experience issues such as halos around streetlights or glare from the headlights of oncoming vehicles. This happens because your pupils dilate in low-light situations like during the night. This allows more light into the eyes. As a result, you also get more peripheral light into your eyes.

Consequently, this makes lights fuzzier due to glare and blurring. It is a common problem even for some people who do not suffer from astigmatism. So, what can you do to drive safely at night with astigmatism? Here are a few tips.

Go See Your Eye Doctor

If you are experiencing issues with your vision while driving at night, the first step should be seeing your eye specialist. They will check if you have astigmatism, and if so, its severity. If your astigmatism is moderate or mild, your optometrist might recommend prescription corrective lenses.

These include contact lenses or eyeglasses. Toric lens implants and orthokeratology are feasible solutions too. If you wear contacts or glasses and still have trouble seeing clearly while driving at night, your eye doctor might recommend adjusting your prescription.

Use Eye Drops

Ensure you have your eye drops on hand if you wear contact lenses and drive at night. Dryness can be uncomfortable to your eyes and blur your vision. For instance, when your eyes get dry, it can cause toric lenses to rotate, affecting their clarity. Use rewetting drops that are compatible with your contact lenses. They are available over-the-counter and from your eye doctor.

Properly Maintain Your Car

You should ensure that your vehicle’s headlights, windows, and mirrors are clear when driving at night. This reduces glare from lights and improves your view. Ensure both sides of your windows and windshields are clean. You should replace your windshield wipers regularly too. Smudges and fingerprints on these surfaces enhance glare when driving at night.

Additionally, your headlights should be spotless to help illuminate your view when driving at night. If they are cloudy, you should purchase a headlight-cleaning kit or get them expertly restored. Switching to the night setting on your rearview mirror might help reduce glare from the lights in vehicles behind you.

The Takeaway

The most practical solution to improving your night vision is by getting regular eye exams. Visit your ophthalmologist or optometrist for a comprehensive exam to diagnose astigmatism. This way, your eye doctor can prescribe a solution that makes it safer for you to drive at night.

For more on astigmatism and night vision, visit Super Optical Express at our office in Gainesville, Florida. You can also call 352-702-9700 to book an appointment today.