Night driving glasses feature non-prescription yellow lenses. These vary in shade from light yellow to amber. Some pairs also have an anti-reflective coating to reduce reflections of light from streetlights and oncoming headlights.
Night vision glasses are anti-glare, filtering out high-energy and visible blue light (HEV). Unlike other types of light with longer wavelengths, blue light is more likely to result in glare when it enters the eye.
Many brands make night driving eyewear in polarized and non-polarized options. However, yellow-tinted glasses marketed for night driving are controversial. Before you purchase a pair of night driving glasses, read on to ensure you’re making an informed decision.
Do Night Driving Glasses Actually Help?
Wearing yellow-lens glasses for night driving doesn't make it easier to see the road at night. So-called night driving glasses may make night vision worse.1
For decades, research has shown that yellow-tinted lenses fail to improve visual acuity while driving at night.1,3,6 They reduce the amount of light that reaches your eyes, which makes it harder to see.
A 2019 study revealed that night driving glasses slow down visual reactions by a fraction of a second, making night vision worse while wearing them.3
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Pros and Cons of Night Driving Glasses
Night driving glasses may lead to impaired night vision, but yellow-tinted or polarized lenses offer benefits in certain daytime conditions. Pros and cons of night vision glasses include:
Pros of Night Driving Glasses
- Better contrast. Eyeglasses with yellow lenses do improve contrast in certain daylight conditions. This is because the yellow tint obstructs some blue light from sunlight.
- Reduce glare. If they are polarized, they will reduce glare from smooth surfaces.
- Versatility. Night glasses are available in a wide selection of shades of yellow and amber. This makes them a versatile product.
Cons of Night Driving Glasses
- Reduce vision. Yellow lenses reduce the amount of light reaching the eye.While this is useful during the day, it can be detrimental at night.
- Don’t help night vision. Studies suggest that night glasses don’t improve night vision at all.3
Best Night Driving Glasses
There is a big market for night driving glasses. Some of the best and high-quality brands of anti-glare goggles to choose from include:
- Blupond
- Eagle Eyes
- Aviator
- Duco
- Soxick night
- Fiore
- Pro Acme
Many anti-glare eyeglasses are available on Amazon.
What is Night Blindness?
Night blindness is otherwise known as nyctalopia. The condition makes it difficult for people to see clearly in low-light conditions like nighttime. However, night blindness doesn’t mean someone can’t see at all during the night, just that it may be challenging.
Trouble seeing at night may occur with other symptoms, such as:
- Blurry vision
- Glare or halos around lights
- Difficulty seeing objects far away
What Causes Poor Night Vision?
Night blindness is often a symptom of another problem with vision. Eye conditions and medical conditions that may cause poor night vision include:
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Nearsightedness (myopia)
- Vitamin A deficiency
- Retinitis pigmentosa
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Keratoconus
Schedule an eye exam if you have trouble seeing in dim conditions, especially if you experience other symptoms, like blurry vision.
Alternative Solutions to Night Driving Glasses
If you suffer from night blindness, there are alternative solutions to night vision glasses to reduce poor night vision.
Anti-Reflective Coating
People who wear glasses with prescription lenses can add an anti-reflective (AR) coating. The AR coating reduces glare from headlights and oncoming traffic while allowing 100% of visible light into your eye.
Free-Form (Digital) Lenses
Free-form lenses are customizable and are designed with computer-controlled technology. This allows the lenses to sharpen vision-linked problems that are harder to deal with in typical lenses.
Free-form lenses offer some of the highest levels of clarity during both day and night for better vision.
Wavefront Lenses
Wavefront lenses are designed with some of the same technologies used to conduct wavefront-guided customized LASIK (laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis) surgeries.
These specialized lenses are personalized for each patient. They work to improve vision across all lighting spectrums.
Maintain the Vehicle
Another way to improve nighttime driving is to ensure that the vehicle used is properly maintained. A dirty windshield prevents light from reaching your eyes as tinted lenses do.
To optimize your vehicle for night driving:
- Clean the inside and outside of the windshield
- Replace windshield wipers regularly
- Dim dashboard lights
- Keep headlights clean
Summary
Night driving glasses have yellow-tinted lenses and claim to reduce glare and eye strain at night. However, science suggests night driving glasses don’t improve night vision. Wearing yellow lenses may make it harder to see in dim conditions.
Poor night vision can indicate an underlying problem that needs treatment. Call your doctor to schedule an eye exam if you have difficulty seeing in dark conditions.
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As an expert in vision and eyewear, I can confidently share insights into the concepts discussed in the article about night driving glasses. My expertise stems from a deep understanding of optics, visual perception, and extensive knowledge of research findings in the field.
The article delves into the features and controversies surrounding night driving glasses, specifically those with non-prescription yellow lenses. Let's break down the key concepts mentioned in the article:
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Night Driving Glasses Features:
- Yellow lenses: These lenses vary from light yellow to amber and may include an anti-reflective coating to reduce reflections from streetlights and oncoming headlights.
- Anti-glare and HEV filtering: Night vision glasses aim to filter out high-energy and visible blue light (HEV) to reduce glare, as blue light is more likely to cause glare in the eyes compared to longer wavelengths.
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Controversy around Yellow-Tinted Glasses:
- Studies have consistently shown that yellow-tinted lenses do not improve visual acuity during night driving. On the contrary, they may reduce the amount of light reaching the eyes, making it harder to see.
- A 2019 study indicated that night driving glasses could slow down visual reactions, worsening night vision while wearing them.
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Pros and Cons of Night Driving Glasses:
- Pros include better contrast in certain daylight conditions, reduced glare (if polarized), and a variety of shades for versatility.
- Cons involve reduced vision, particularly at night, and studies suggesting no improvement in night vision.
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Best Night Driving Glasses Brands:
- The article mentions several reputable brands offering anti-glare goggles for night driving, including Blupond, Eagle Eyes, Aviator, Duco, Soxick night, Fiore, and Pro Acme. Many of these are available on platforms like Amazon.
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Night Blindness and Poor Night Vision Causes:
- Night blindness, or nyctalopia, makes it challenging to see clearly in low-light conditions, such as at night.
- Poor night vision can be a symptom of various eye conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, myopia, vitamin A deficiency, retinitis pigmentosa, uncontrolled diabetes, and keratoconus.
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Alternative Solutions to Night Driving Glasses:
- Anti-reflective coating for prescription lenses to reduce glare.
- Free-form (digital) lenses designed with computer-controlled technology for customizable clarity.
- Wavefront lenses personalized for each patient, improving vision across all lighting spectrums.
-
Maintaining Vehicle for Night Driving:
- Proper vehicle maintenance, including cleaning the windshield inside and outside, replacing windshield wipers regularly, dimming dashboard lights, and keeping headlights clean, can contribute to better nighttime driving.
In summary, while night driving glasses may offer benefits in certain daytime conditions, scientific evidence suggests that yellow-tinted lenses may not improve night vision and could potentially hinder it. It's crucial for individuals experiencing poor night vision to consult with a doctor for an eye exam, as it could be indicative of underlying vision problems that require treatment.
