How Imperfect Vision Can Imperil Your Driving

“Keep your eyes on the road,” is good advice for every driver, but it’s not the whole story.

“Keep healthy eyes on the road,” is how the saying should go.

Healthy eyes matter when you are behind the wheel.

Less-than-perfect vision can significantly compromise a driver’s ability to perceive road signs, recognize hazards and judge distances.

And driving with imperfect vision happens to more than just a few Americans. Almost half of regular drivers in the U.S. consider their vision imperfect or preventing them from driving safely during the day. The percentage goes up to more than two-thirds at night.

Fortunately, keeping up with regular eye exams can catch and address vision issues before they become an issue on the road.

Here is a look at some very common changes in the eye that can make it more difficult to see clearly on the road and how to maximize your vision in bad weather or nighttime.

Vision Changes That Can Affect Driving

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is the natural loss of the elasticity of the lens in our eyes as we age. Sorry.

When you’re young, the flexibility of the lens allows you to see things up close. But as you turn 40, you might begin to notice that you need to hold things farther away to read them.

In the car, the dashboard or navigation system might be more challenging to read.

Fortunately, that’s where progressive lenses can make a difference. Your eye doctor can advise you.

Dry-Eye

Do you experience stinging or burning in your eyes, a gritty sensation or blurred vision? Those can be symptoms of dry eye.

Dry eye is caused by your eyes’ inadequate tear production or environmental factors like allergies, extensive screen time and even your car’s air conditioning and heater.

Love that rolled-down window feeling? Show your eyes some love and roll them back up because windy conditions worsen dry eye.

Your eye doctor can diagnose the condition and prescribe treatments or drops to improve dry eye.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism occurs when the eye is an irregular shape. It results in blurry vision both near and far, making reading road signs or dashboard instrumentation difficult, especially at night.

It’s common to have astigmatism in addition to near- or farsightedness. Ask your ophthalmologist for advice.

Road Conditions That Can Affect Driving

Nighttime

Life’s better on the open road? Maybe during the day, but at night, everything becomes harder to see. Because of that, your risk of accidents increases during nighttime driving.

In fact, nighttime accidents account for nearly half of all driving deaths, even though only about one-fourth of all driving takes place at night.

To improve the safety of your nighttime driving:

• Opt for anti-reflective lenses that can help cut down on glare, diminishing the reflections coming into your eyes.
• Schedule annual eye exams to diagnose and treat emerging vision issues.
• Keep your car in good shape to help you see by making sure
  • Both headlights and windshield wipers are in working order
  • Your windshield and mirrors are clean
  • Any dirt, mud or snow is cleaned off your headlights.

Sunrise/Sunset

You probably have the sun right in your eyes during your morning and evening commutes. The glare can blur the cars or traffic lights in front of you.

But there are several low-tech solutions:

• Keep an extra pair of sunglasses in your console. They reduce glare so you can see better.
• Maintain clean and chip-free windshields and windows so the sunlight doesn’t amplify or distort dirt and scratches.
• At night, avoid looking directly at the headlights of oncoming cars.
• Also, check your vision insurance. Many, such as our DeltaVision® managed through EyeMed, offer options for getting a second pair of glasses, which can include a pair of prescription sunglasses.

Rain and Snow

Rain and snow can both scatter and reflect light and reduce your peripheral vision. You have probably noticed that you tend to focus straight ahead during heavier rain or snowfall and are less aware of the happenings coming into your peripheral field of view.

So, if it’s raining or snowing heavily:

• Check your side mirrors regularly to keep track of your peripheral field of view
• Avoid using your high beams since they only reflect light back into the eye, making it even more difficult to see
• Change your windshield wiper blades with the season; special cold-weather wiper blades can withstand lower temperatures and icier conditions without cracking.

Signs Alerting You to Visit the Eye Doctor

“Have an annual eye exam,” is good advice for everybody, not just drivers, to detect and treat serious health issues beyond just blurry vision. But if you’re experiencing one or more of the following while driving, schedule an appointment sooner rather than later:

• Seeing halos around lights at night
• Trouble reading road signs in time to react
• Feeling sensitive to bright light during the day or street lights at night
• Sudden blurry vision or changes in your vision.

On and Off the Road Protection for Your Smile, Vision and Hearing With Delta Dental

Healthy smiles, vision and hearing all matter for your overall health. That’s why we offer affordable dental and vision insurance and a discount hearing benefit to Arkansans.

Check out our various plans for individuals and families or small to mid-and large-size groups. We’ll gladly welcome you into the Delta Dental of Arkansas family.