DP Eyecare Update: Headlight Glare?

Q: Without a doubt, the most common complaint we hear at this time of year with the early darkness of winter is the frustration of difficulty driving at night. Some suggestions to help
are…
A: First, I would recommend getting your vision checked, and your glasses correction updated. So many people come in to our clinic saying they see “ok”, but in reality their vision prescription
has changed so gradually over the last year or two or three without them realizing it. We all change so slowly and gradually that we generally feel like we have not changed. Vision is prime
example. Your updated and perfect vision Rx can make everything better….especially driving at night. Second, Be sure your glasses are made with the latest and highest grade of “anti-reflection” or “glare free” lenses. As a consumer, it is difficult or impossible to know what grade of lenses you are buying. There are many brands and types of lenses sold these days, and generally speaking cheaper lenses use older or less advanced lens technology. This can mean your lenses may perform less than ideally, and/or they will sustain more surface damage / scratches over time which diminishes the optics of the lenses. Ask for and demand the newest and best lens types. Third, just anecdotally, but many people are surprised how much hazy film has built up on the
inside of their windshield! It can be difficult to reach and to clean the inside of your windshield, but even slight haziness there will increase the glare and flare of oncoming headlights. Lastly, many patients over age 50 may have early cataracts developing. The early stages generally impair night vision especially, while leaving your daytime vision mostly fine. And most
people will have years and years of “early cataracts” before actually needing surgery to remove them. Your eye doctor will use a biomicroscope to look inside your eyes to diagnose this
common condition.