Night Driving Glasses

[PaulSB]

I'm finding the glare from modern LED headlights increasingly difficult to deal with at night. They literally stop me seeing my side of the road.

I'm considering buying some night driving glasses. I have read these can create other issues and hazards.

Anyone got any experience with this and recommendations for glasses they've used?

 

[DRM]

I've tried those yellow tinted things, chocolate teapot sums them up quite nicely, but yes modern LED headlights don't make you see any better because, everyone else's just blind you so you see less than you would with a halogen bulb headlight

 

[fossyant]

Just double checking you've had your eyesight tested. I know LED's are an issue, but this very issue affected SIL. Couldn't see well at night when driving, finally went to the optician. Ah you have cataracts. They were bad enough they were operated on within a month ( a few weeks apart for each eye). Unfortunately, the operations weren't that successful and she has sight issues which are still being investigated a year on.

 

[sungod]

tinted glasses simply reduce light transmission

they may provide a slight reduction in glare from badly designed led headlights, but any tint will also impair your night vision, especially in poorer conditions, where risk is highest

the problem is due to many 'white' leds having a really strong spectral peak around c. 465nm (it'll vary with the device materials/construction), ideally you'd want glasses highly optimised to filter that peak with minimal attenuation elsewhere, which'd be pricey, otherwise an amber/orange tint would be effective, a yellow tint would be less effective but it'd also be a compromise between glare reduction/night vision

as @fossyant says, it might be worth getting a test just in case the glare is being made worse by an eye condition

 

[Oldhippy]

Night tint glasses are good for me in a car and cycling.

 

[Beebo]

as @fossyant says, it might be worth getting a test just in case the glare is being made worse by an eye condition

I have an astigmatism which makes nighttime glare a real problem. Twice as bad if it’s raining. Even with my glasses.
The glasses work fine in the day time.
Keep your windscreen as clean as possible and make sure your wipers are working.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

The DfT tested these yellow glasses and found them ineffective.

Clear anti-glare glasses are better.

Re: led lights. They are problematic for older folk if they glance at them as their iris closes about 8 times slower than a younger person.

I honestly have no problem with them most of the time as I simply concentrate on the road ahead and effectively avoid looking at them.

 

[PaulSB]

Just double checking you've had your eyesight tested. I know LED's are an issue, but this very issue affected SIL. Couldn't see well at night when driving, finally went to the optician. Ah you have cataracts. They were bad enough they were operated on within a month ( a few weeks apart for each eye). Unfortunately, the operations weren't that successful and she has sight issues which are still being investigated a year on.

Yes, thank you, I have. As it happens I'm on an annual 12 month check at the local hospital. I have raised pressures which can be an early indicator of glaucoma. The pressure which was at 23 when I was referred has been well controlled at 13/14 for perhaps a decade. I also have routine optician sight tests.

 

[PaulSB]

The DfT tested these yellow glasses and found them ineffective.

Clear anti-glare glasses are better.

Re: led lights. They are problematic for older folk if they glance at them as their iris closes about 8 times slower than a younger person.

I honestly have no problem with them most of the time as I simply concentrate on the road ahead and effectively avoid looking at them.

That's interesting Spokey. I'll see if I can avoid looking at them.

I find I can no longer see the indicators on a modern car whether it's day or night. I don't manoeuvre until other driver has done whatever I "think" he "might" do.

 

[fossyant]

Could also be an 'age' thing when you are struggling to see indicators. I certainly remember when cycling in the early 90's when HID's started to appear - they were blinding on unlit roads. I was 'struggling' to see with my super expensive BLT lights and a 5w halogen - oh how times have changed.

 

[fossyant]

You might need to speak to @Drago, about his Laser LED spotlights for a bit of 'payback'.

 

[presta]

There's no evidence that yellow glasses work:
https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/are-night-driving-glasses-safe-to-wear-a20Q17g8xnyD
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/2740739

 

[cyberknight]

We tried the yellow glasses in the car and they were useless even though they were sold as anti glare glasses. I do wear pale yellow glasses for riding on my commute all year around as I find they give me enough to ride in daylight but don't cut the light down enough to reduce visibility in the dark

 

[Drago]

Some kind of welding mask, perhaps?