If you're anything like me, the thought of driving at night can be a little daunting, especially if you have astigmatism. I remember feeling so frustrated, squinting at the road, trying to make sense of the blurry lights. It felt like everything was just a big, hazy mess. I knew I wasn't alone in this struggle, so I decided to find some real solutions. This is my journey and what I've learned to make night driving safer and more comfortable.
I've always had astigmatism, but I didn't realize how much it affected my driving until I started doing more night trips. Driving in the city at night became a real pain. The bright headlights of oncoming cars, combined with streetlights, created this intense glare that made it difficult to see clearly. And when it rained? Forget about it! It felt almost impossible to drive safely. The glare intensified, and everything became even more distorted. I started dreading any after-dark driving, which really limited my freedom.
I wear glasses with an anti-glare coating, which I've had for so long that I can't even imagine what it would be like without it. But even with the coating, the glare was still a significant problem. I knew I needed to find a better solution.
I started by focusing on the simple things. I made it a point to keep my glasses meticulously clean. I even started carrying a small microfiber cloth in my car. I also cleaned my windshield inside and out regularly. It was surprising how much of a difference a clean windshield made in reducing glare. I also realized that fatigue played a huge role. When I was tired, the glare seemed much worse. So, I made sure to get enough sleep before driving at night and took breaks when needed. Keeping my blood sugar levels stable also helped prevent additional strain.
Then, I remembered something. I use a pair of M-frame safety glasses with clear lenses when I go shooting. One evening, I forgot my usual driving glasses and wore those instead. I was amazed! They seemed to cut down the glare significantly. It wasn't a perfect solution, but it was a step in the right direction. This made me think more about the lenses I was using.
Based on some insights, I tried contact lenses specifically designed for astigmatism, also known as toric lenses. The difference was incredible. It felt like a whole new world. As someone mentioned, if you have astigmatism, your prescription should include a CYL (Cylinder) and Axis number, which are adjusted to correct the astigmatism. Making sure my prescription was accurate and optimized for my astigmatism made a huge difference in my night driving experience.
While researching lenses, I stumbled upon Cinily Net and their range of specialized eyewear. I found a pair of Rectangle TR90 Retro Polarized Sun Glasses with polarized mirror sunglasses that could be custom-made with my prescription. I was a bit skeptical at first, but I decided to give them a try, opting for the black lenses.
Let me tell you, these glasses have been a game-changer. The polarized lenses significantly reduced glare, not just at night, but also during the day. The custom prescription ensured that my astigmatism was properly corrected, giving me crisp and clear vision. They've become my go-to driving glasses, especially for those challenging night drives. The TR90 frame is lightweight and comfortable, which is a huge plus for long journeys. Cinily Net really delivered on quality and functionality. I highly recommend checking them out if you're struggling with similar issues.
Here's a summary of what I've learned that has helped me navigate night driving with astigmatism: