Eye Doctor in East Rutherford

Many people notice that driving at night becomes more difficult as they get older. Headlights from oncoming cars may appear unusually bright, and glare from streetlights or reflections on wet roads can make it harder to see clearly.

If you find yourself squinting or feeling uncomfortable while driving at night, you are not alone. This is a common concern that many patients discuss with an eye doctor in East Rutherford.

Several factors can contribute to increased glare and difficulty seeing at night.

One common cause is changes in the eye’s natural lens that occur with age. As the lens becomes less clear, it can scatter light entering the eye. This scattered light can create glare, halos, or streaks around headlights.

Another factor may be un-corrected vision changes. Even small prescription changes can make night driving more difficult. When vision is not perfectly focused, bright lights may appear more intense or distorted.

Dry eye can also contribute to glare at night. When the surface of the eye is not smooth and well lubricated, light entering the eye can scatter more easily, which can cause halos or starbursts around lights.

Many people wonder whether yellow or tinted lenses can help reduce glare while driving at night. These lenses are sometimes marketed as “night driving glasses” because they increase contrast.

However, tinted lenses also reduce the amount of light entering the eye, which can actually make it harder to see clearly in low-light conditions.

For many patients, a better solution is using eyeglass lenses with anti-reflective (AR) coating. AR coating reduces reflections on the surface of the lenses and allows more light to pass through to the eye. This can improve visual clarity and reduce glare from headlights.

Updating your prescription and choosing the right lens options can make a noticeable difference in nighttime driving comfort.

Dr. Fruchtman’s Tip:
If headlights seem unusually bright while driving at night, it may be time to update your prescription or consider lenses with anti-reflective coating.

If driving at night has become uncomfortable, Dr. William Fruchtman provides comprehensive eye exams in East Rutherford and can help determine whether prescription changes or specialized lenses may improve your visual comfort.

Clear vision is an important part of staying safe on the road.