Driving at night is not a popular pastime, because nearly half of all people surveyed noted difficulty with seeing clearly in the dark. With this in mind, motorists should look into ways to better improve their vision when driving at night and become more confident and safe while doing so.
Signs That Your Night Vision May Be Poor
The following are some common indicators that your vision may be suffering when driving during night hours:
• Difficulty making out street signs clearly;
• Difficulty adjusting eyes to headlights;
• Harder to accurately judge distance and speed;
• Squinting in an attempt to get a better focus;
• Strain in the eyes due to long periods of staring at the road.
If you experience any of these issues, it is in your best interest to get your eyes tested as soon as possible.
This should not only serve as a preventative measure but also to detect any changes in sight or overall eye condition. It is advised that adults get an eye exam every two years minimum. Visit the Addis Ababa Eye Clinic to get your regular eye examination.
What is Astigmatism?
Another factor that can have a profound effect on someone’s night vision is astigmatism – a blurry vision condition caused by the shape of one’s eye.
Those with standard vision normally have eyes shaped like footballs, while those with astigmatism typically have eyes similar to rugby balls.
Astigmatism can be corrected through glasses, contact lenses or laser eye surgery but can still make driving during the night difficult due to increased glare and distortion from any source of light present.
This becomes worse with age, when vision takes longer to adjust itself from one light level to another and added difficulty in focusing on objects ahead of you.
What Is Night Blindness
Night blindness, also known as nyctalopia, occurs when one’s eyes are unable to adapt properly to low-light conditions.
The retina sits at the back of the eye and contains two types of photoreceptor cells – ‘rods’ that are responsible for night vision, and ‘cones’ that help during bright light scenarios.
If there is an issue with rod cells or if someone is extremely nearsighted, they may suffer from night blindness more easily – similarly with those who lack Vitamin A in their diets.
Making Sure You Drive Safely At Night
Before setting off for a night drive, special eyewear such as glasses equipped with anti-glare coatings may be used for added safety.
Besides this, certain measures such as cleaning your windscreen free from dirt and grime may be taken too. On top of this, dimming your vehicle dashboard lights so as not be dazzled upon turning back towards the dark environment after looking at them is advised when wanting to drive safely at night time.
Furthermore, increasing your Vitamin A intake is highly beneficial for improving overall eye health and even reduce risks related with glaucoma such as cataracts and AMD (Age-Related Macular Degeneration).
Keeping tabs on other important parts of general health like blood sugar levels and blood pressure could contribute favorably too!
