Why can’t I see at night when driving?

Vision-related risks of night driving

Having trouble seeing at night is common everywhere in the world. Out of 34 million drivers in the United Kingdom, 17 million struggle to see at night, and the accident fatality rate is reportedly three times greater at night than during the day.

One study found that more than 60% of vehicle accidents happen at night time in India, due to factors such as driver’s visual fatigue and performance, as well as poor visibility in general.

In South Korea, the fatality rate of accidents that take place at night is 53.38%. The statistics are affected by the reduced quality of visibility that drivers experience during darker hours of the day.

Glare from headlights

One of the most prominent reasons drivers have trouble seeing at night is light from oncoming traffic.

Headlights, high beams and fog lights are designed to help drivers see at night, but they can also produce adverse effects. Glare can be distracting, irritating and reduce your reaction time. So what can you do about it?

If you wear glasses, one of the best ways to improve your night vision is to choose a lens solution with an anti-glare or anti-reflective (AR) coating. This unique lens enhancement can reduce glare given off by oncoming headlights, street sign reflections and other bothersome light. AR-coated lenses can improve your visual comfort and clarity, enhancing your vision for a safer night-driving experience.

Difficulty seeing your dashboard (presbyopia)

Having trouble seeing the dashboard, centre console, GPS, and other small features in your car could be a sign of presbyopia if you’re over 40. An estimated 1.8 billion people around the world have presbyopia, and many of these cases are untreated.

The inability to see objects up close can be a risk to your night driving, as it can prevent you from monitoring a safe speed on your odometer, navigating directions on your GPS, or even ensuring that your lights are working correctly. Glasses may be all you need to rectify this problem.

Presbyopia affects vision with age and makes it difficult for you to focus on close objects. If you are experiencing blurriness, or if it has been a while since your last eye exam, it may be time to schedule an appointment with your optician.

Blurry road signs and distant objects (myopia)

Shortsightedness, or myopia, is another significant risk for driving at night if left uncorrected. Myopia makes it difficult to see objects that are far away, such as road signs, debris, cyclists and pedestrians. 

Road hazards are even harder to spot at night when visibility is reduced, and light is limited. More light reflects off of road signs — making them even more challenging to read, other road users are harder to see — including vehicles and pedestrians — and animals are more likely to run out into the road when it’s dark out. The inability to see such objects is dangerous for you and everyone else on the road.

It is estimated that myopia affects 1.89 billion people globally. If you’ve noticed a change in your ability to see distant objects as you drive (during the day or night), you may need to update your vision prescription. A quick eye test with your optician will be able to determine this.

Streaky or blurred lights (Astigmatism)

Astigmatism means your eye is typically shaped more like a rugby ball than a football, which alters the way light is focused. In fact, the light is focused in more than one place which can cause blurriness.

When it comes to driving at night, astigmatism can also have an impact on how you see lights such as car headlights and streetlamps. You’re likely to experience increased glare, halos or streaks around the lights, which can be difficult and will likely force you to squint in order to focus better. This can be worse at night when there are more lights coming from your dashboard and other drivers.

Wearing the right lenses can help to mitigate the effects of this, as the lens can help to focus the light correctly on to the retina. A routine eye examination can determine whether you have astigmatism, and your optician can dispense corrective lenses to compensate for your eye’s irregular shape. Unfortunately, astigmatism will not cure itself and it’s likely you’ll need to wear glasses for astigmatism to correct it.

Night blindness (nyctalopia)

Night blindness, or nyctalopia, refers to poor vision that occurs in dim light or darkness. Like presbyopia and myopia, night blindness can pose a dangerous threat to driving at night because it limits the visual capabilities of an affected driver.

This disorder can be caused by cataracts, glaucoma, myopia and other vision conditions. In some cases, glasses can treat night blindness, but treatment ultimately depends on the underlying cause. 

Driving in darker conditions can be challenging to begin with, and night blindness can make it truly dangerous. If you’re experiencing symptoms of nyctalopia (halos or glares around lights, trouble seeing distant objects, blurry vision, light sensitivity, etc.), consult your optician.

Safety tips for driving at night

Vehicle and personal safety measures should be taken every time you get behind the wheel — but especially when you drive at night. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 23% of all injury crashes and 37% of all fatal crashes in the United States in 2016 occurred between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) created the Golden Rules for Road Safety as guidelines for drivers to keep themselves and other road users safer in transit. To start: Check your vision regularly, protect your eyes from glare and always wear your glasses on the road. The FIA also advises that motorists:

• Always pay attention
• Obey the speed limit
• Buckle up
• Use a child safety seat
• Check their tyres
• Don’t text and drive 
• Stay bright in reflective gear
• Wear a helmet
• Stop when they’re tired
• Watch out for pedestrians, especially kids
• Slow down for kids
• Never drink and drive

Improve your vision at night for driving

How can you improve your vision at night? In addition to the tips above, your vision must be as clear as possible.

Many vision problems that weaken your eyesight while you drive at night can be treated with corrective glasses or contacts. Your vision changes as you age, so regular eye exams are essential. You may need to update your prescription to drive more safely and efficiently at night. 

If you suspect you have an eyesight issue directly affecting your ability to drive at night, consult your optician as soon as you can.

Reducing reflections at night

Sometimes you can still struggle with reflections on your lenses at night, which can be bothersome and make driving at night an uncomfortable experience. You can fix this by adding a lens coating to your lenses, which can help to remove reflections and reduce glare.

Crizal Drive is specifically designed to help you feel more comfortable behind the wheel, removing up to 90% of reflections. What’s more, Crizal Drive can also help to protect your lenses against scratches, smudges and dust, as well as offering an E-SPF rating of 25. This helps you to enjoy clear lenses with added UV protection while out and about.

Where can I buy lenses for driving at night?

Lenses for driving at night can be very beneficial and can help to solve a number of vision problems, not to mention helping you to feel more confident and comfortable on the road. The right lenses for night driving can give you back some independence, which for many can be life-changing.

You can find your local Essilor optician who will guide you to the right pair of lenses for your individual needs. Your optician can provide the necessary eye care services, with the latest technology and lens types including varifocals, single vision lenses and lens coatings. Use our online optician finder to start your search.