Glare sensitivity makes driving at night or under bright conditions extremely challenging, putting you at risk of slower reaction times to sudden changes on the road and collusions. You are not alone if you have experienced discomfort, whether from oncoming headlights, streetlights, or bright sunlight.
Fortunately, there are ways to reduce its impact and keep your drive safe and comfortable. In this blog, we will explore ways of managing glare sensitivity and share some actionable driving tips.
What Is Glare Sensitivity?
Glare sensitivity is an individual’s heightened sensitivity to bright lights. It often occurs when bright light directly enters the eye. For instance, headlights and streetlights. What makes glare sensitivity, or glares in general, dangerous is the fact that it makes it challenging to judge distances and perceive objects accurately.
You may wonder, “What causes glare sensitivity?” There can be many reasons. For instance, eye concerns like cataracts and astigmatism. Even aging, for that matter, can be a reason. That’s not all. Some other factors include:
- Dirty or scratched eyeglasses
- Excessive use of bright lights inside the car
- Presence of fog, rain, or snow
Also Read: Refractive Errors: Understanding Myopia, Hyperopia, Astigmatism, and Presbyopia
Managing Glare Sensitivity at Night
1. Invest in Specialized Eyewear
Look out for glasses with an anti-reflective coating. These glasses help reduce the reflections from oncoming headlights or bright sunlight. Thus minimizing glare and making a noticeable difference when driving at night.
Another alternative is to wear polarized lenses for daytime driving. They are designed to block glare from reflective surfaces, such as wet roads or car windows. As a result, they are highly recommended for daytime driving to help with sunlight reflections. Similarly, you can also wear sunglasses with wraparound frames for added coverage.
2. Adjust Your Car’s Lighting and Mirrors
High-beam headlights not only distract other drivers but also increase the glare for you. Thus, it is best for you to stick to low beams unless you are in a rural area or area with poor lighting. Furthermore, if your car has adaptive headlights, use them for optimized light distribution.
Additionally, dim the dashboard and infotainment lights inside your vehicle. These bright lights create distracting reflections on your windshields. There can also be glare from behind. So aim your rearview mirrors slightly downwards to reduce glares from the headlights behind. This technique is popularly called ‘night setting.’
3. Keep Your Eyes in Optimal Condition
Glare sensitivity can also result from dry eyes. In that case, artificial tears or prescription eye drops can help. A well-lubricated eye has a smoother surface, which better handles incoming light.
Here’s another tip: When staring at the road, you tend to blink less, which can lead to strain and discomfort. So, make a conscious effort to blink frequently to keep your eyes hydrated.
Also Read: 5 Eye Health Tips Essential for Optimal Vision
Common Safety Tips
Besides the tips mentioned above, here are a few more ways to keep yourself safe:
- Glare sensitivity can reduce your reaction times. Thus, you may need more time to react to sudden changes on the road. Therefore, it is best to maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
- Regularly clean your windshields and windows for any dirt or smudges.
- Adjust your car’s visor as needed to block direct sunlight to shield your eyes from harsh angles.
Seeking Professional Help
If glare sensitivity often interferes with your daily activities, then seeking professional help from an eye specialist at Shree Ramkrishna Netralaya, one of the leading eye hospital in Navi Mumbai is a wise choice. These glares may hint at an underlying progressive eye concern, and detecting it early on can make all the difference to your treatment.