Vision Council of America ; Winter Brings Increased Risk on Roads

Vision Council of America Recommends Ways to Improve Sight on the Road, Eliminate Glare and Eye Strain

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 -- Did you know that half of all drivers report compromised vision when they are behind the wheel after dark? Considering that vision accounts for 85-90 percent of the information drivers need to be safe on the road, especially at night, the Vision Council of America (VCA) encourages everyone to take steps to increase driver safety.

"As the weather begins to change, glare and reflection from bright sunshine, oncoming headlights, snow or nighttime traffic become increasingly hazardous," said optometrist Gregg Ossip. "Driving at dusk can be particularly challenging because our eyes are constantly adjusting to the changing level of light, causing reduced vision and eye strain."

A study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that more than half of all drivers experience noticeable glare when driving at night, and a third of all drivers describe this glare to be "disturbing."

"The good news is that with regular eye exams you can make sure your vision isn't putting you at risk on the roads," added Dr. Ossip. "Wearing the proper corrective lenses at night can help improve your vision; and measures like anti-reflective lenses can make your prescription glasses even more effective by eliminating lens glare while driving."

Research shows that older drivers may have an even harder time seeing in poor light. In fact, a 60-year-old requires 10 times as much light to see clearly as a 19-year-old. A recent report by the National Institutes of Health found that over four million seniors have an uncorrected visual impairment; and 2.4 million of them could improve their sight with simple vision correction.

To improve driver safety, VCA offers the following tips for enhancing night vision and reducing glare:

  *  Always wear your prescription eyewear and make sure that your glasses
     are clean. Cleaning lenses regularly helps to remove dirt and
     fingerprints that can interfere with vision, especially at night.

  *  Wear anti-reflective (AR) lenses to eliminate lens glare. AR lenses act
     to improve vision by increasing the amount of light that reaches the
     eye and by reducing harmful glare due to reflections off the back
     surfaces of lenses.

  *  When driving at dusk, turn on your headlights.

  *  Perform regular maintenance on your vehicle to ensure headlights are
     working and windshields and mirrors are clean.

  *  Get regular comprehensive eye exams from an eyecare professional. Many
     serious and progressive eye diseases do not have noticeable symptoms.
     An eyecare professional can also ensure that your glasses are in good
     condition (i.e. no scratches).

Visit http://www.checkyearly.com/ for more information on protecting your vision and staying safe behind the wheel.

The Vision Council of America is a not-for-profit trade organization dedicated to improving America's vision health through its "Check Yearly. See Clearly." campaign. For more information on vision care, visit http://www.checkyearly.com/.