Driving is an activity that requires your full attention and clear vision, at all times for not just your safety, but the safety of other road users too. But what if you find yourself struggling to see clearly once it becomes dark outside? Having difficulty when it comes to driving at night is a common symptom of an eye condition astigmatism.
In this blog post, we will be discussing the role astigmatism can have on your driving, and what to do if you notice changes in your vision when driving. If you have difficulty driving at night, a specialised support course could benefit you.
What is astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a refractive error caused by an irregular curvature of the eye’s cornea or lens. Instead of being perfectly round, the surface of the cornea is shaped more like a football, leading to blurred/distorted vision. This condition can occur in one or both eyes and often accompanies other refractive errors such as nearsightedness or farsightedness.
Imagine you’re driving at night and the street lights appear distorted and blurry, this is a common symptom of astigmatism that those who have this condition experience frequently. As you can imagine, this can impact your driving, which is why it’s crucial to get your vision and eyes checked out by an eye care professional.
How does astigmatism impact you when driving?
Driving demands sharp vision and quick reactions, both of which can be compromised by astigmatism. Understanding how this condition affects your driving can help you take proactive measures to stay safe on the road.
Astigmatism can significantly impact your ability to drive at night. As mentioned above, the condition often causes glare from street lights and headlights to appear more intense, making it difficult to see clearly. Starbursts or halos around lights can also occur, distracting you and increasing the risk of accidents during nighttime driving.
Astigmatism can also cause eye strain when driving at night too. The blurry or distorted vision you experience when night driving forces your eyes to work harder to focus, leading to increased eye strain. Prolonged driving can exacerbate this discomfort, resulting in headaches or fatigue that diminish your ability to concentrate on the road.
What to do if you have astigmatism
Managing astigmatism effectively so you can safely drive involves several strategies to ensure you maintain clear vision. Here are some practical tips to help you stay in control.
Corrective lenses
One of the most common ways to correct astigmatism is by wearing prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. You should book an appointment with your optician and they will provide you with corrective lenses that are specifically designed to to compensate for the irregular curvature of your cornea or lens, allowing light to focus correctly on your retina and improving the clarity of your vision.
Have regular eye exams
Scheduling regular eye exams is essential for monitoring your astigmatism and ensuring your prescription is up to date. Seeing your eye care professionals regularly also means you receive the best advice on how to manage your symptoms and maintain optimal eye health.
Take night driving precautions
Always wear your prescription lenses when driving at night. If you think you have astigmatism but have not yet seen your eye care provider, then do this immediately to ensure yours and others safety on the road. Additionally, anti-reflective coatings on eyeglasses can reduce glare, and additional driving aids like polarised sunglasses may help improve vision during the dark conditions at night.