Is Driving at Night a Dangerous Blur for Americans?

Many drivers experience blurry vision while driving at night. For some, blur happens when pupils have to recover quickly from the glare of oncoming headlights. For others, it’s caused when the eye has to shift between objects that are close-up (speedometer) and far-away (street signs). Regardless of the cause, blurry vision is a dangerous situation for any driver. In many cases, blur is caused by astigmatism, a common and treatable vision condition that affects millions of Americans of all ages. Statistics: 15% of all adults have at least some form of astigmatism and 2% of adults have significant astigmatism. Ophthalmology, Mosby 2004 90% of a driver’s reaction depends on vision. National Safety Council “Driving at Night,” November 15, 2004 http://www.nsc.org/library/facts/nightdr.htm Traffic death rates are three times greater at night. According to eye care doctors, many people with astigmatism report feeling uncomfortable driving at night because of their condition. Yet, almost all levels of astigmatism can be optically corrected. One option recommended by doctors is a contact lens specifically designed for individuals with astigmatism. The unique technology of this contact lens harnesses the natural pressures of a blinking eye to keep the lens in place while the eye is open, and quickly realign the lens if it rotates out of position. The stability and comfort provided by this lens can help astigmatic people drive at night with confidence. Optometrist Dr. Cheryl Vincent, O.D., speaks about common vision issues that plague nighttime drivers, such as astigmatism, and offers tips and treatment options for beating the blur. For more information viewers can visit www.beattheblur.com/now More about Dr. Cheryl Vincent: Dr. Cheryl Vincent has been a practicing optometrist for more than 20 years. When not treating patients, she has served as a clinical investigator in studies on extended wear torics and bifocal soft lenses and has authored articles for Contact Lens Spectrum and Optometry Today. Dr. Vincent is a member of the American Optometric Association and a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. She received the Feinbloom Low Vision Award and was named Clinician of the Year. Dr. Vincent is currently a partner at Visioncare Associates, a private practice treating over 12,000 patients.?