If you struggle with blurry vision or glare when driving at night, astigmatism might be the cause. This common vision problem affects millions of people and can make nighttime driving feel frustrating—or even unsafe. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with astigmatism or just recently noticed visual disturbances, it’s important to know there are effective ways to improve your night vision.
Here are 7 helpful tips for safer night driving with astigmatism, from the team at Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus Associates in Newtown Square, PA.
What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a refractive error caused by an irregularly shaped cornea. Instead of being round like a basketball, the cornea is shaped more like a football, which causes light to focus unevenly on the retina. This results in blurry or distorted vision, eyestrain, and headaches. At night, people with astigmatism often see halos, glare, or starbursts around lights, making it more difficult to drive safely.
7 Tips for Safer Night Driving with Astigmatism
1. Schedule a Comprehensive Eye Exam
If you’ve noticed trouble seeing clearly while driving at night, it may be time to schedule a comprehensive eye exam. Our eye doctors in Newtown Square can determine the severity of your astigmatism and rule out other conditions like cataracts, which can also impair night vision.
2. Use Anti-Glare Glasses for Night Driving
If you wear glasses, ask about anti-glare or anti-reflective lenses. These coatings help reduce headlight glare and improve contrast in low-light conditions. Avoid yellow-tinted “night vision” glasses unless specifically recommended by your optometrist or ophthalmologist.
3. Try Toric Contact Lenses
Toric contact lenses are specially designed to correct astigmatism. They provide clearer, sharper vision and reduce nighttime visual distortion. Gas-permeable and hybrid lenses are other great options, especially for patients with moderate to severe astigmatism.
4. Ask About Toric Lens Implants
If you have cataracts in addition to astigmatism, toric intraocular lens (IOL) implants may be recommended. These implants replace your natural lens during cataract surgery and correct both vision problems at once—restoring your sight and improving night driving vision.
5. Explore Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Ortho-K lenses are rigid contacts worn while you sleep. They reshape your cornea overnight, temporarily correcting your astigmatism so you can see clearly during the day—without glasses or contacts. Though not permanent, Ortho-K is a non-surgical solution that works well for some patients.
6. Consider LASIK for Astigmatism
Laser vision correction procedures like LASIK or PRK can permanently correct astigmatism. Many people experience improved night vision after surgery, though some may notice temporary halos or glare. Your ophthalmologist can help determine if LASIK is right for you.
7. Keep Your Vehicle Night-Driving Ready
Good vision starts with a clear line of sight. To reduce glare and improve visibility while driving at night:
- Clean your windshield, mirrors, and windows—inside and out.
- Use the night/dimming setting on your rearview mirror.
- Make sure your headlights are clean and properly aimed.
See Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus Associates
See an ophthalmologist like Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus Associates in Newtown Square, PA if you notice night driving is becoming difficult. Maybe you already knew you had astigmatism, or maybe you are suddenly confronted with trouble seeing the road at night. Your eye care specialist can diagnose the level of astigmatism determining if it is mild, moderate or severe.
If you are older, you may also be dealing with cataracts which make the problem significantly worse. Once you know how bad the astigmatism is you can focus on what to do.
Sources:
Driving at Night With Astigmatism: 5 Tips to See Better (trueeye.com)
Astigmatism Lights: Driving and Night Vision (verywellhealth.com)
Astigmatism: Effects on Light and Night Driving (allaboutvision.com)
Schedule an Appointment in Newtown Square, PA
Contact Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus Associates at (610) 347-7672 for personalized recommendations to improve your night vision due to astigmatism.