Beyond the Glasses: Why Your Annual Eye Exam Is a Health Powerhouse

Have you noticed that night driving has become more challenging as you get older? You may find it increasingly difficult to see road signs, find the glare from oncoming headlights annoying, or feel less confident driving at night. Some vision changes we experience as we age are entirely normal, but difficulty with night vision can sometimes signal an underlying eye condition. It's worth knowing the common causes of night driving problems and when it's time to get your eyes checked. What Causes Night Driving to Become More Difficult With Age? As you get older, your eyes naturally change, which can affect your ability to see in low light. Your pupils might get smaller and less responsive to changes in light so less light gets into your eyes. This makes it harder to see on dark roads and can make it difficult to adjust when going from a bright environment to a dark one. Glare is another common issue. Headlights, street lights and reflections off wet road can all make it very difficult to see objects when driving at night. Changes in the eye due to age can make you more susceptible to glare and can also make it harder to recover from looking at a bright light. Several eye conditions can also lead to poor night vision. Cataracts for instance can result in cloudy vision, halos around lights and increased glare. Glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and various retinal diseases can all affect your night vision. Prescription alterations in your glasses or contact lenses can also make night driving more difficult. A small change in your vision can be much more apparent in the low-light conditions of nighttime. A full eye exam will help identify what is the cause of the problem. When Should You Be Concerned About Night Driving Difficulties? Occasional difficulty in adjusting to the dark isn't necessarily a bad thing. If, though, driving at night is becoming progressively more difficult, don't brush it off as 'part of aging'. You may benefit from an eye examination if you experience: Increased glare/halos around headlights and street lights. Difficulty reading road signs or seeing pedestrians in low light. Blurry vision (worse at night). Problem adjusting when going from bright to dark (and vice versa). Reduced confidence when driving after sunset. These symptoms may be due to a change in your prescription, cataracts, or another eye condition that needs evaluation. If your vision makes night driving particularly hazardous, you may want to limit nighttime driving until an eye care professional evaluates it. See a doctor immediately for any sudden change in vision (especially with eye pain, flashes of light, a sudden increase in floaters, or vision loss). How Can You Protect Your Vision for Safer Night Driving? Traditional comprehensive eye exams are essential for maintaining good vision as you get older. The exam lets the optician assess your prescription, check your eye health, and look for conditions that may affect your night vision. Updating your glasses or contact lens prescription may improve your night vision. You can also take several practical steps to make night driving a bit more comfortable (keep your windscreen clean, reduce the brightness of the dash, don't look directly at oncoming headlights, etc.). If you're still finding night driving a problem, drive during the day if possible. At Eye Care Associates of Texas PA our goal is to help patients learn the changes that occur in their vision and to take steps to maintain their eye health. If night driving is becoming more difficult as you get older, a comprehensive eye exam can help determine the cause and whether treatment or a prescription change would help. Being aware of changes in your vision early on can help you make the right decisions regarding your eye health and your driving safety. 

Feeling like your vision is blurred can be annoying or worrisome. In some cases, blurred vision is temporary and due to a simple reason, for example from tired or dry eyes. On the other hand, abrupt or ongoing changes in your vision may at times be a sign of an underlying eye condition which should be looked into. If you know the common causes of blurred vision , as well as when it might be harmless and when you should see an eye doctor, you can help keep your vision and general eye health in good condition. What Causes Blurry Vision? Blurry vision can have a number of different causes, one of the most common being a change in your prescription. Conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism cause objects to appear out of focus and this effect may become more apparent over time. Dry eyes may also result in blurry or fluctuating vision. If your eyes produce insufficient tears or if your tears evaporate too rapidly, then the surface of the eye can become irritated and this will make it more difficult to see clearly. The symptoms can be temporarily alleviated by blinking, using artificial tears or taking breaks from screens. Blurry vision can also result from eye strain, contact lens issues, allergies, and certain medications. In some cases, blurred vision may be linked to conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, or macular degeneration . An eye exam can help identify what is causing your symptoms. At What Time Should You Be Worried About Blurred Vision? Blurry vision doesn't always amount to an emergency, but sudden blurry vision should never be ignored. If your eyesight becomes blurry suddenly, especially if it affects just one eye, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Vague vision together with other symptoms can be particularly worrying; such symptoms might consist of eye pain, a severe headache, flashes or floaters, double vision, weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, or a partial or total loss of vision . Sudden vision changes may be associated with serious eye conditions such as retinal issues, glaucoma, or other medical emergencies. It is important to have yourself evaluated as soon as possible in order to find the cause and to decide if treatment is necessary. If you experience sudden blurred vision, or if it is accompanied by severe vision loss or other worrying symptoms, contact an eye care professional or seek immediate emergency medical treatment. How Can You Sustain Your Vision & Eye Health?  Regular eye examinations help keep your vision in good condition. During these examinations, an eye care professional will test your vision and examine the various parts of your eyes for signs of conditions that may not produce obvious symptoms in the early stages. You should also note any changes in your sight; if your eyesight remains blurry, worsens, or affects your everyday activities, a thorough eye exam can help identify the cause. At Eye Care Associates of Texas PA, our aim is to help patients understand changes in their vision and keep their eyes healthy. If you have blurry vision or other changes in your eyesight , an eye examination can help identify the cause and determine whether treatment is needed. Knowing when to get help can greatly protect your vision in the future.