Driving at night can be already pretty tricky and challenging. It is even more so when you have astigmatism.
If you happen to be one of those people, extra caution is needed when driving at night. To help those with astigmatism stay safe on the road, we have put together a list of night driving tips to keep in mind
What is Astigmatism?
But first, let us define what astigmatism is first. According to Verywell Health, astigmatism occurs when the cornea or the lens of the eye has an irregularly shaped curvature." Because of this, light is unable to focus evenly on the retina.
Those with astigmatism usually have blurry vision as well as headaches and eyestrain. The blurry vision applies whether close up or at a distance. There is also a lot of squinting happening when you have astigmatism.
People with astigmastism also experience difficulty in seeing clearly at night and typically see more glare around lights when it is already dark.
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5 Night Driving Tips for Those with Astigmatism
If Your Rear View Mirror Has a Night Setting, Use It
We have already mentioned that those with astigmatism tend to see more glare around lights at night. That goes without saying that the glare of headlights from vehicles may hamper the vision of a driver who has astigmatism.
Not all vehicles come with a rear view mirror that has a night setting, but should yours have it, use it. It will help keep you safe from getting blinded by the glare of a car's headlights.
Keep All the Windows, Mirrors, and the WIndshield of Your Car Clean
This should be self-explanatory, but many can seem to still stand having a dirty car. Having all sorts of dirt, smudges, traces of rain, and the like will not make it any easier for you to see the road.
If you have astigmastism, do not make things even more difficult for you and just keep your car, especially its windows, mirrors, and windshield, clean.
Look for Anti-Glare Night-Driving Glasses
Cleveland Clinic recommends trying anti-glare night-driving glasses. It should be noted, however, that these glasses are not mean to correct your vision.
It has also been noted that, as of writing, there is still no scientific proof that these glasses indeed work.
Make Sure to Maintain the Wipers of Your Windshield
Worn-out wipers, of course, are not effect when it comes to keeping your windshield clear from any water, dirty, and other things that can obstruct your view of the road. If they are just leaving smudges and dirt on your windshield, it is high time to replace them so as to not make night driving more difficult.
VeryWell Health recommends replacing your windshield every six to 12 months.
Use Toric Contact Lenses
If anti-glare night-driving glasses are not your thing, you may want to use toric contact lenses instead if you have astigmatism. Cleveland Clinic points out that, while they may be more expensive than regular contact lenses, "it's essential to fix astigmatism."
Aside from that, you need to make sure that your eye prescription is always up to date.
Related Article: How Self-Driving Cars Are Tweaked To See Better At Night
