Does Night Driving Get Harder As You Age?

Like many activities we take for granted in our youth, driving at night becomes more difficult as we age, simply because our eyes (like the rest of our muscles) are changing. Often, changes in eyesight are gradual enough that we may not realize the significance -- but in reality, a 50-year-old typically needs twice as much light to see well at night than a 30-year-old does.

Here's why: In low light or nighttime conditions, pupils expand to absorb as much light as they can. As you age, your eyes (like many muscles) are not as responsive as they once were. As a result, your pupils do not expand as quickly or as wide, and therefore take in less light. As you age, it takes longer for your eyes to adjust to dark or light after being in the opposite environment, and it's hard to readjust after a flash of bright light in the dark (like headlights from oncoming traffic or bright LED roadside signage).

There's also evidence that the photoreceptors in our retina that help us see in the dark -- called rods -- can diminish over time. Cones, the photoreceptors that enable us to see color, tend not to. Animals that are able to see well in the dark, like cats, have more rods than humans do.

So, what can you do to compensate for your changing vision? In certain situations, it's easy (and you may have already started). At home, for example, you can simply turn on more lights or opt for stronger light bulbs. But when it comes to driving at night, you can't change how much light is available out on the road. Even though only about 20% of driving happens at night, traffic deaths are three times greater in the evening than during the day -- so seeing clearly on the road at night is critical. Fortunately, Eagle Eyes has got you covered with anti-reflective night driving glasses.

Our night vision glasses were developed expressly to enhance contrast and definition at night. These micro-infused, non-polarized yellow lenses soften harsh lights and, thanks to an anti-reflective coating, reduce high-intensity glare from headlights and LED signage. Available in a variety of styles, including fit-over and clip-on night driving glasses for prescription glasses wearers, we're confident that Eagle Eyes Night-Lite® will completely revolutionize your night driving. Browse our entire catalog of night vision glasses to find your new favorite night driving companion.

Learn more about how our night driving technology works.