What are Night Driving Glasses and how do they work?

So, what are Night Driving Glasses?

Night driving glasses are a special type of eyewear that help make driving at night easier and safer. They work by reducing the glare from bright lights like streetlights and oncoming car headlights. The lenses are usually yellow or amber and are tinted to increase contrast and block blue light, making it easier to see the road. 

What are the best lenses for driving at night?

There are several types of lenses that can be helpful for improving visibility while driving at night. Some options include:

1. Yellow or amber lenses: These lenses can help improve contrast and make it easier to see objects in low-light conditions.
2. Polarized lenses: These lenses reduce glare by blocking out certain wavelengths of light. They can be particularly helpful for reducing glare from oncoming headlights. Though these lenses tend to darken one's view quite a lot, and are not highly recommended.
3. Photochromatic/Photchromic lenses: These lenses automatically adjust to the level of light in your environment, getting darker in bright light and lighter in low light. This can be helpful for reducing glare and improving visibility while driving during the day, with a benefit at night due to the typical anti-reflective coating that would be also added if opting for Photochromatic lenses.
4. Anti-reflective (AR) Lenses: These lenses can help reduce glare and improve visibility by eliminating reflections on the surface of the lens. These are recommended to use when driving at night because they help eliminate glare from oncoming headlights or streetlights. 

Ultimately, the best lenses for driving at night will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Schedule an eye test with us, and we'll help you find the best options that fit you and your lifestyle

FAQs

Can I wear night driving glasses during the day?

Sure! You can definitely wear night driving glasses during the day if you want to, but keep in mind that some options are specifically designed for use at night. The yellow or amber tint lenses can help enhance contrast and make it easier to see the road in low light conditions, but during the day it might make colours look less vivid and the tint could be too dark for comfortable use in bright sunlight.

If you're looking for glasses that you can wear both during the day and at night, you might want to consider getting a pair with photochromatic lenses or anti-glare lenses. The photochromatic lenses, also known as photochromic lenses, automatically adjust to the light conditions, so they'll darken in bright light and lighten in low light, and they typically come with anti-glare coating. Or one can just opt for anti-glare coating as this can also suit your needs of driving at night and helping reduce glare during the day.

In the end, whether or not you wear night driving glasses during the day is up to you and what works best for you. Just keep in mind that some options are more suited for only using during the day, like polarized lenses, and some options are more suited for only using at night, like tinted lenses. Our Optometrists at your nearest Optica can advise you best. 

Are there any side effects of wearing night driving glasses?

Using night driving glasses is generally considered to be safe and doesn't cause any major side effects. However, some people might need a little time to get used to the glasses when they first start wearing them. The yellow or amber tint of the lenses can change the way colours look, and some people might find that colours appear less vivid or that the tint is too dark to be comfortable in bright sunlight. But usually, these are just temporary adjustments and most people adjust to the glasses after using them a few times.

It's also possible for some people to experience eye strain or discomfort while wearing the glasses, especially if they have an eye condition. If you experience any problems with your vision or discomfort while using the glasses, it's important to see an eye doctor to make sure they're the right choice for you.