What are Night Vision Glasses and Do They Work?

Do you have increasing difficulty driving at night due to vision changes? Does it take longer for your eyes to adjust in dim light?

Most of us have experienced becoming blinded by the high beams from an oncoming car on occasion. However, for some people, difficulty driving at night tends to be consistent and may progressively get worse over time. Problems driving at night due to vision issues can lead to anxiety and even increase your risk of an accident.
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Night glasses are marketed to help individuals who have problems driving at night. But do they work? Continue reading as we examine the use of night glasses and offer additional tips for dealing with vision issues while driving.
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What causes problems driving at night? 

Various vision changes and issues can cause problems driving at night. For instance, some adults become increasingly sensitive to the glare from oncoming headlights. Additional problems that may affect night driving include the following:

Age-related changes: The cells in the eye, known as the rods, are responsible for low-light vision. These cells may not work as efficiently as you age, affecting vision at night. Certain vision issues also may worsen as you get older; this includes reduced peripheral vision and issues distinguishing shapes and colors.

Eye diseases: Eye diseases, such as macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma, can also lead to vision problems, which make night driving challenging.

Medications: Certain medications, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, and blood pressure medication, can cause side effects that make it more difficult to see in low light.
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What are night vision glasses? 

If you have trouble seeing at night, you may have heard of night vision glasses. Manufacturers market the glasses to individuals who may have difficulty seeing in low light.

Night vision glasses are usually yellow tinted to improve vision in dark environments. They may also have an anti-reflective coating, and some are polarized. Most night vision glasses don't require a prescription and are available over the counter.
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Do they work? 

Are night vision glasses more hype than help? Extensive research does not show that night vision glasses are helpful for individuals who have trouble seeing in low light. Also, many vision experts do not recommend them.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, night vision glasses reduce or limit the level of light entering the eye, actually making it harder to see at night. Yellow tinted or polarized lenses may be useful during the day to block glare from the sun. However, driving at night requires the eyes to adapt to the dark and adjust quickly to changing light. The bottom line is research does not support using night vision glasses. 
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Night driving tips 

If driving at night is becoming a little difficult due to vision changes, you can do several things, such as:

• Reduce your driving speed to allow for increased reaction time.
• Keep your eyeglass prescription current and clean your glasses before driving.
• Clean your windshield and headlight often to remove road grime.
• Avoid eyeglass frames that are too wide, which can interfere with your peripheral vision.
• Honestly assess your ability to drive at night and determine if you should avoid it.

One of the best things you can do to promote healthy vision, including night vision, is to get regular eye exams. A comprehensive eye exam can help diagnose eye diseases in their early stages, when treatment may be most effective.

If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.