The end of Daylight Saving Time means most of us are driving home during the darkest hours of the day. This shift can quickly expose common vision challenges like increased glare from oncoming headlights and difficulty adapting to low-light conditions. These issues can make your commute feel stressful and less safe.
Here are essential tips from Southwest Eye Care to improve your vision and safety while driving at night:
- Clean Your Windshield and Headlights: A dirty windshield, both inside and out, can magnify glare significantly. Keep your glass and your car’s headlight lenses spotless to maximize visibility and minimize blinding light streaks.
- Check Your Prescription: Even a slight change in your prescription can dramatically impact your ability to see clearly in low light. If you are experiencing halos or blurry distance vision, it’s time for an update.
- Reduce Dashboard Brightness: Overly bright interior lights or dashboard displays can constrict your pupils, making it harder for your eyes to adjust to the dark road ahead. Dim your displays to the lowest comfortable level.
- Address Glare Issues: If you find yourself frequently dazzled by headlights, you may have uncorrected astigmatism, cataracts, or simply require anti-reflective coatings on your glasses to cut down on light scatter.
If you are struggling with night vision, especially after the time change, don’t wait for the issue to become a safety hazard. Your eye doctor can perform tests to determine if your prescription needs adjusting or if you have a condition contributing to the difficulty.
Ensure your eyes are ready for the longer nights!
