Night Driving and Astigmatism: What You Need to Know

Although less familiar, astigmatism is a commonly occurring vision disorder. Some studies have estimated that the prevalence rate of astigmatism to be as high as 34% in children and this number is widely believed to increase with age.

Its symptoms include eye pain, headache, glares, seeing halos around light, distorted vision etc. Blurred vision is the most prominent symptom. A lot of people suffer from some degree of astigmatism. A slight degree of this condition usually doesn’t affect the vision and no treatments are required as such. However, in some cases, individuals with this eye condition may have a problem working under certain lights, in poorly lit areas and at night. For instance, night driving is challenging for people with astigmatism. To know more about this, let’s first understand astigmatism.

What Is Astigmatism?

A normal cornea is spherical in shape. When the light passes through it to the retina, the light rays meet at a single point at the back of the eye. In astigmatism, the cornea is distorted and resembles a football in shape. So the light rays entering it, end up meeting at different points resulting in blurred vision. Under poor lights or at night, the blurriness worsens. This is because, under dim lights, the pupil dilates to allow in more light. As the pupil dilates, more peripheral light rays enter the eye which increases the blurriness.

If you are suffering from astigmatism and night driving is a major concern for you, consider the following treatment options:

• Vision correction with help of a right pair of glasses or contact lenses is your best bet. These help focus power to specific parts of a user’s eye thus compensating distortions caused by astigmatism. Soft, rigid or specialized toric contacts are often recommended. It should be noted that these lenses tend to rotate on the eye at times which results in compromised vision. Also, if they are worn throughout the day, the lenses will dry out by the end of the day. Dry lenses can get stuck out of alignment when they rotate and may result in severe blurring.
• You can choose glasses with anti-reflective treatment which help cut down on visual distortions tremendously. Ask your eye specialist about hybrid lenses which are designed especially for astigmatism. These have a flexible center and a rigid outer rim. Some individuals benefit greatly from these lenses.
• Keep your eyes hydrated. You can choose from a variety of moisturizing eye drops available in the market. Eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals which help enhance your vision.

Astigmatism treatments may prove highly beneficial to some, while some individuals may still face the problem with night driving even after various treatments. Talk to your eye specialist or an ophthalmologist if you too are suffering from blurred vision. Learning more about astigmatism and understanding how to address its symptoms properly will help you deal with it more effectively.