Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Eyes on the road safely this winter
Having good eyesight is one of the most basic requirements of safe driving.
It means drivers are able to spot potential dangers, see pedestrians and other vehicles. As well as read road signs and judge speed, distance and movement. Without this, there could be catastrophic consequences on the road.
This is even more important in winter when bad weather, darker nights and glare from the winter sun can affect your car journeys.
Susanne Akil, Specsavers’ Scottish Chair, shares some top tips and advice for driving this winter.
Why is it important that drivers have regular eye examinations?
Susanne says: “Eyesight can change over time, especially as we get older. This is why it is so important to have regular eye checks, not only to address any changes in short or long-sightedness but also because an optician can spot sight-threatening conditions that you may not be aware of, such as cataracts, macular degeneration or glaucoma.”
Can anything be done to help combat glare while driving?
“Specs wearers may benefit from having their lenses coated with Specsavers’ Ultraclear Superclean – an anti-reflection and scratch-resistant treatment which means that lenses have fewer reflections and helps give clarity while
“Those who wear varifocal lenses might also want to consider Specsavers’ superdrive which has been specially designed with driving in mind. These lenses have a super wide distance and middle-distance zone, to help give you a wide view of what is ahead as well as across your dashboard and wing mirrors.
“Polarised lenses are a good option for driving in daylight as they eliminate glare from horizontal surfaces, such as roads, water and snow.”
Are there any eye conditions that can be particularly affected by winter driving?
“If you have uncorrected astigmatism, night driving can be especially difficult as the pupil dilates to let in more light, which can lead to vision looking even more blurred. Many people with astigmatism also have trouble with light reflections from cars and streetlamps, which can cause them to squint. Anti-glare lenses and other lens options can help, and contact lens wearers with sizable astigmatism can wear toric contact lenses.”
Make sure to discuss any difficulties with your optician so that they can ensure you have the right lenses to suit your needs and lifestyle.
For more information on safe driving visit www.specsavers.co.uk.