starbursts while night driving due to astigmatism

Night Driving and Astigmatism: Can Glasses or Lenses Help?

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Driving at night presents unique challenges, and for those with astigmatism, these challenges can be even more pronounced. Fortunately, there are specialized solutions, including glasses and lenses, available to help improve night driving for those with astigmatism.

The Impact of Astigmatism on Night Driving

Astigmatism is a common refractive error caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or lens in the eye, leading to distorted or blurred vision. This condition is especially troublesome at night, where glare, starburst vision, and reduced contrast sensitivity can make driving more difficult.

Astigmatism can significantly affect driving at night in several ways. One of the most common issues is glare, where bright lights, such as headlights from oncoming traffic, appear to have halos or streaks around them, making it difficult to focus on the road.

Additionally, blurred vision becomes more pronounced in low-light conditions, which can affect your ability to read road signs or identify hazards.

Reduced contrast sensitivity is another challenge, making it harder to distinguish objects or obstacles in dimly lit areas.

When you’re driving at night with astigmatism, these visual disturbances can be dangerous, potentially increasing the risk of accidents.

Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate these issues. Two of the simplest ways to mitigate visibility issues include contacts for astigmatism, specifically toric contact lenses, and specialized glasses (like glasses with an anti-reflective (AR) coating and nighttime driving glasses).

Help With Astigmatism and Driving at Night

One of the most effective solutions for improving night driving for those with astigmatism is wearing glasses with specialized lenses designed for nighttime vision, which can help address glare and improve visual clarity.

To get the most benefit, it’s important to consult the optometrists at Kirman Eye. They can recommend the right prescription and possibly anti-glare coatings or tinted lenses that will make your nighttime driving safer and more comfortable.

Here are some of the key lens technology options available through Kirman Eye:

 

  1. Anti-Reflective Glasses: Glasses with an anti-reflective (AR) coating are particularly beneficial for night driving and astigmatism. The coating reduces glare caused by headlights, streetlights, and other bright sources of light, improving contrast and clarity. This is especially important when dealing with eye glare problems at night.

 

  1. Nighttime Driving Glasses: These glasses are designed to enhance contrast and reduce glare. Some nighttime glasses come with yellow or amber tints, which can improve visibility in low-light conditions and reduce eye strain. Night driving glasses can increase the transmittance of light through the lens to help it reach the eye.

 

  1. Contact Lenses for Astigmatism: For those who prefer not to wear glasses, contact lenses for astigmatism come in a variety, including daily replacement and monthly replacement lenses. There are also contact lenses with blue light filtering, which can help with night driving.

Why Do I see Starbursts When I Drive at Night?

One of the visual issues commonly experienced by those with astigmatism, especially at night, is starburst vision. This refers to the phenomenon where bright lights, such as car headlights or streetlights, appear to have halos or star-like patterns around them.

Starburst vision occurs because light entering the eye is scattered due to the irregular shape of the cornea or lens. It can be particularly bothersome at night or in low-light environments, making it difficult to focus on the road.

This visual distortion may cause a driver to instinctively steer toward the bright lights as a point of focus.

While astigmatism is the most common cause of starburst vision, several other factors can contribute, including:

Cataracts: A clouded lens in the eye that causes light to scatter, often resulting in blurry or halo-like vision.

Refractive Surgery: After procedures like LASIK, some people experience temporary starburst vision as the cornea is reshaped.

Dry Eyes: A lack of lubrication on the surface of the eye can cause blurred vision, exacerbating the starburst effect.

Manage Astigmatism & Improve Nighttime Driving

If night driving and astigmatism are causing significant challenges for you, schedule an eye appointment with a Kirman Eye care professional. An optometrist can perform a comprehensive eye exam, assess the severity of your condition, and recommend the most effective treatment options.

We can help you choose the right contact lenses or glasses to address both astigmatism and night driving issues.

Additionally, regular eye exams are essential to monitor your vision and adjust prescriptions as needed. If you’re struggling with night driving, your eye care provider may suggest nighttime driving glasses or other treatments to improve your safety on the road.

Whether you choose anti-reflective glasses, nighttime driving glasses, or contact lenses for night driving, these solutions can significantly reduce the discomfort caused by eye glare problems and improve your overall vision.

OptiLight IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy For Dry Eyes

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Dry eye disease is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can cause discomfort, irritation, and even vision impairment, significantly impacting daily life.

One of the primary causes of dry eye disease is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), a condition in which the meibomian glands in the eyelids fail to produce sufficient oil. This oil is essential to maintaining a stable tear film, and without it, tears evaporate too quickly, leading to dry, irritated eyes.

Fortunately, a cutting-edge treatment known as OptiLight IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) offers a solution. Read more

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Migraine Prevention from an Optical Perspective

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Migraines are more than just headaches; they are debilitating experiences that significantly affect your quality of life. Learn more about possible causes and migraine prevention.

What are Migraines?

Migraines are a type of headache characterized by intense, throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head. They are often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, or smells. Migraines can last from a few hours to several days and can be debilitating, affecting a person’s ability to function normally. Read more

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The Science of Sunglasses: How To Protect Your Eyes While Looking Cool!

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The Importance of Wearing Sunglasses

Each year when Summer rolls around, while most people are quick to slather on sunscreen to protect their skin from harmful UV rays, many forget about another crucial part of their body that needs protection—their eyes. The easy availability of sunglasses means practically anyone can benefit from the protection they offer, so understanding the importance of wearing sunglasses can be key to maintaining your vision and overall eye health.

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dry eye syndrome

Dry Eye Syndrome: How Kirman Eye Can Help

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Dry eye syndrome is a frustrating and uncomfortable condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Characterized by a lack of adequate lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye, dry eye syndrome can result in irritation, redness, and increased vision problems if left untreated. Fortunately, at Kirman Eye, we have extensive experience diagnosing, managing, and providing relief for the condition as part of our comprehensive optical health services.

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Optomap in use

Retinal Imaging with the Optomap: Your Map to Eye Health!

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Retinal health is crucial for long-lasting vision, and thanks to recent advancements in optical technology, today’s eye care professionals can now get a comprehensive view of the retina like never before. Optomap retinal imaging stands at the forefront of this revolution, offering myriad benefits to optical patients while increasing efficiency and ease for all concerned. Kirman Eye is proud to offer this state-of-the-art service to our patients.

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managing myopia

Managing Myopia: What You Need To Know

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Myopia: The Basics

Myopia, often referred to as nearsightedness, is a common refractive error of the eye where close objects are seen clearly, but distant objects appear blurry. This occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. As a result, individuals with myopia have difficulty seeing objects in the distance, while nearby objects remain clear. Myopia typically develops during childhood and tends to worsen gradually until early adulthood. It can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery, and various management options are available to help slow down its progression.

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AdaptDx® Pro

The Best Tool For The Job: Testing for Macular Degeneration with the AdaptDx® Pro

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As someone deeply passionate about optometry and optical health, I understand the importance of preserving our eyesight. One vital aspect of this is testing for conditions like Macular Degeneration. Just imagine being able to detect a leading cause of vision loss before it advances significantly! That’s exactly what this advanced technology offers.

This powerful new piece of diagnostic equipment is the latest innovation enabling eye doctors to test the night vision of their patients, testing the eye’s ability to adjust to the dark can catch the early warning signs of macular degeneration, one of the world’s leading causes of blindness. And eye care specialists armed with this early detection system can more successfully determine a course of preventive treatment.

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specialty eyewear

Sports Glasses: Choosing the Best Specialty Eyewear for Your Physical Activity

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What Types of Specialty Eyewear are Available for Sports Activities, and Why Is It Needed?

If your family leads an active lifestyle that includes sports activity, you might be wondering why specialized eyewear is important. It’s not about style – it’s about providing perfect vision while keeping your eyes safe and healthy.

There are various types of specialty eyewear designed for different sports, such as wraparound sunglasses for outdoor activities and impact-resistant goggles for racquet sports and basketball. These are needed to protect your eyes from potential injuries, harmful UV rays, and glare, all while improving your vision to allow for safe activity.

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hypertension eyecare

Hypertension and Your Vision

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What is the Connection Between Hypertension and Changes in Vision?

As we age, it’s natural to experience changes in our vision, but did you know that high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can also have an impact on our eyesight? If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with hypertension, you may be curious about the connection between this condition and changes in vision.

Hypertension affects the blood vessels, causing them to narrow and become less elastic.  This can damage the blood vessels in the eyes, leading to a variety of vision problems, including blurred vision, double vision, and even vision loss. It’s important to manage hypertension to prevent these potential complications.

If you’re still reading, you may be wondering what steps you can take to manage hypertension and protect your vision. In the following paragraphs, I’ll provide some practical tips for controlling hypertension and minimizing its impact on your eyesight.

What are the symptoms of hypertensive retinopathy?

When hypertension goes untreated or uncontrolled, it can lead to a condition called hypertensive retinopathy, which damages the small blood vessels in the retina. The retina is the part of the eye responsible for processing light into visual images, so any damage to it can significantly impact a person’s vision.

Symptoms of hypertensive retinopathy include blurred vision, double vision, headaches, and eye discomfort. In severe cases, it can cause vision loss and blindness.

Hypertensive retinopathy progresses in stages, with each stage indicating a more severe level of damage to the retina. In the early stages, the symptoms may not be noticeable, but as the condition progresses, symptoms can become more severe. Regular eye exams with a trained eyecare professional can help catch hypertensive retinopathy early on and prevent further damage.

It’s also worth noting that hypertensive retinopathy is not the only eye condition that can be caused by hypertension. Other conditions include choroidopathy, optic neuropathy, and central serous chorioretinopathy. Choroidopathy is a condition in which the blood vessels in the choroid layer of the eye become damaged. The choroid is a layer of blood vessels and connective tissue that provides oxygen and nutrients to the outer layers of the retina. When the choroid is damaged, it can lead to vision problems such as distorted or blurred vision.

When visiting your eye doctor, always inform them if you have a history of high blood pressure.

Can hypertension be treated to prevent changes in vision?

Yes, hypertension can be treated with lifestyle changes and medication to prevent changes in vision. Lifestyle changes that can help include maintaining a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol consumption. Medications such as ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and diuretics can also be prescribed to help lower blood pressure.

It’s important to monitor blood pressure regularly and work with a healthcare professional to develop a treatment plan. In some cases, it may take a combination of lifestyle changes and medication to effectively manage hypertension.

It’s also important to note that hypertension is a chronic condition and may require lifelong management. Regular check-ins with a healthcare professional can help ensure that blood pressure is being effectively managed and prevent changes in vision and other complications associated with hypertension.

Steps You Can Take

If you have high blood pressure, it is essential to have regular eye exams to monitor for any vision changes or damage to the eyes. In some cases, early detection and treatment of hypertension can prevent vision problems from developing or worsening. It is crucial to actively manage high blood pressure and have regular eye exams to prevent or monitor for any vision changes.

If you have hypertension and are experiencing changes in your vision, seek medical attention immediately. Schedule an appointment with your primary care physician to get your blood pressure checked and consult your eye doctor to discuss any vision changes you have noticed. By taking proactive steps to manage your blood pressure and getting regular eye exams, you can protect your vision and maintain good overall health. Don’t delay – prioritize your health and book that appointment today!

At Kirman Eye we can provide the best technology, the latest scientific information, and the highest quality treatment available. We are always happy to answer your questions and will work with you to design a plan that is effective at helping you manage your developing situation, to provide the best possible results.

Your partners at Kirman Eye are passionately dedicated to providing our patients with the best and most effective eye-care options available when anticipating all of your optical needs.

Contact us to work with you today!