'glasses/lenses' for driving at night

[Seahorse0]

Hello everyone

a it of background. Just over a year ago I was diagnosed with closed angles in my right eye and mild cataracts in both eyes

I had an iridotomy in both eyes shortly after, side effect suffered was a permanent white 'line' in right eye. No drops given but Hycosan drops form optician for chronic dry eyes.

I suffer awfully with bright car lights when driving at night which has got worse since my treatment. It is so bad I am actually dreading the dark evenings and mornings returning. I can meet the driving standard's but use prescription lenses for comfort. My opticians put anti reflection tints in

My question is about lenses for driving at night to stop the glare. I have recently read that an unnamed optician's can add 'super drive' lenses into varifocal lenses ( I have not used varifocals before). I I have also seen advertised clip on lenses for driving (made to your prescription)

I'm a bit confused about all these choices and if they actually work ! They are all expensive, I am on a tight budget and don't want to waste money. I am wondering if anyone has any experience with any lenses for night time driving, and can provide some advice please?

Thanks in advance

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Never use a tinted lens for driving at night. You can reduce dazzle from headlights by keeping your windscreen clean inside and out, and by getting anti-reflection coated lenses for your driving spectacles.

Select proper glasses for both day and night driving. Darkened or polarized lenses can be helpful in blocking glare in daytime driving or during outdoor activities like fishing, skiing or riding a bike. But when driving at night, the eyes need to adapt to darker natural conditions. If you wear glasses, keep them clean.

Keep your windscreen clean, inside and out. People often forget the importance of wiping off the inside of the windscreen, which is easily smudged.

[Seahorse0 in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

thanks Trish. Typo in my post not a anti glare tint but anti reflection coating

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner in reply to Seahorse0]

The RAC mention anti reflection glasses in the attached link under the section "get your eyes tested" rac.co.uk/drive/advice/driv...

All of the articles I have looked at mention anti reflective glasses and also the importance of keep the windscreen both inside and out. which help with glare while driving at night.

[Seahorse0 in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Hi again Trish. If you are happy to divulge may I ask what glasses you wear when driving at night please ?

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner in reply to Seahorse0]

Hello. I do not drive myself, but I am sure members will add to this post with their suggestions and how they cope with night time driving and recommendations.

[norfolkblade in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Trish. Can you please provide a reference for this advice not to use polarized glasses at night?

For over a year now, I have been using yellow, polarized, so-called "Night Driving" glasses, which are available from multiple retailers and on line, £20-25 or so.

I have found them to be very useful in reducing headlight glare and as far as I can tell they do not make everything "darker". I frequently also wear them for driving in daylight to reduce general glare.

So if there is authoritative advice that these types of glasses should not be worn at night, I would very much like to see it. There would also be a huge question regarding why they are allowed to be marketed specifically as "Night Driving" glasses if there is evidence that it is dangerous to do so.

[Seahorse0 in reply to norfolkblade]

Hi. Thanks for your kind reply. I have read on a few websites not to wear tinted glasses for driving ? This may be helpful specsavers.co.uk/glasses/dr....

I'm obviously no expert so maybe check with your opticians maybe ?

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner in reply to norfolkblade]

allaboutvision.com/sunglass....

[Purchris]

I had a similar problems with night time driving and also sunshine glare. I have glaucoma which is advanced - had laser treatment, clear lens replacement surgery on both eyes and a trabeculectomy on my right eye. I changed my glasses to Varilux Xtra transition lenses that claim to reduce night time glare. They will darken slightly in sunlight whilst in the car (never need to wear sunglasses whilst driving now) and they do reduce glare at night. They have a very slight tint when I’m indoors during the day, but I find that I barely notice it. They may work for you - they have certainly increased my confidence to drive at night. The downside is that they aren’t cheap, but for me it was money well spent.

[Seahorse0 in reply to Purchris]

Hi. Thanks very much for the reply ☺️

Could you advise if you bought these online, did you add your distance prescription & how did you know what colour lens to choose ?

Apologies for the extra questions

[Purchris in reply to Seahorse0]

I got them through a local independent optician. The lens tint is brown (just my preference), but I’m not really aware of the colour unless I’m outdoors in bright sunshine. I’m actually so happy with them that I had my spare pair re glazed. My advice would be to talk to a local reputable independent optician, but avoid the chains.

[Seahorse0 in reply to Purchris]

I appreciate everyone's comments but am more confused than ever now ! People are saying lenses are tinted but advice on reputable websites advices no tints at night. I'm more confused than ever now 🙈. Thank you Purchis I will speak to an optician as you advised

[Purchris in reply to Seahorse0]

The lenses that I have don’t noticeably tint at night, they just reduce glare.

[Seahorse0 in reply to Purchris]

thank you. last question I promise - may i ask approx how much you paid please ?

[Purchris in reply to Seahorse0]

I can’t remember exactly, but I think that the lenses were around £300

[GirlWithTheBow]

i have recently got a pair of filtered glasses from my local low vision clinic to help me cope with my photophobia. Upon further research this particular pair is called twilight lenses which on the Cocoons fitover website says they’re for driving at night. These fit over my prescription glasses

[Seahorse0 in reply to GirlWithTheBow]

Thank you for the reply, yes I have seen these on Cocoons website but I'm not convinced! What do you mean by filtered please ?

[GirlWithTheBow in reply to Seahorse0]

They have a slight tint to them. They have helped with glare but i still find headlights of 4x4 annoying head on or when they’re behind me

[ODTAA]

Some years ago, I bought some 'night driving glasses', I think from Halfords. They were quite cheap I think, and were simply worn over (i.e. in addition to) normal glasses. They were simply tinted plain lenses, and gave the appearance of driving in sodium street lighting when in white light. More recently, I suffered from glaucoma, and found difficulty driving at night due to headlamp glare. I gotout my old night driving glasses, and found them a great help. I have also had cateracts removed now, and no longer wear glasses for driving,but still find my night driving glasses a great help with glare. Withput them, I would be severely stressed driving through a city during evening rush hour, but with them, I am quite relaxed. I wish sodium street lights wre still in use, rather than the modern LED white ones! I have no idea whether Halfords still sell these glasses, or where else you may get some.

[Seahorse0 in reply to ODTAA]

Thanks for your input see my reply to other posts. I'm more confused 😢