The best glasses for driving

Every time you get behind the steering wheel, your eyes have to take on several challenges. You have to keep focus in changing light conditions, deal with blinding sunlight or wet, reflective roads, and maintain clear vision in dense fog. On top of that, you have to deal with other road users, concentrate on road signs and information, and navigate your way to your final destination. The right spectacle lenses can make driving safer and easier, especially for those who drive frequently for long times on end. But what makes the best driving glasses?

Spectacle lenses for driving are far more than a fashionable accessory: they help us see better, increase road safety, relax our eyes and protect against harmful radiation amongst other things. Studies have shown that many drivers have poor vision. It is one of the main causes of road accidents and a risk every driver can reduce easily. As a result, regular eye examinations by an optician and, if necessary, customised vision aids are essential for every driver. Experts recommend that adults have their eyes tested at least once every two years, even if they do not have any obvious problems with their vision.

Even if you do not have existing or known problems with your eyes, eye examinations are recommended every 2-3 years for anyone over 40 and every 1-2 years for anyone over 65. This helps your optician diagnose the onset of presbyopia early.

The following visual aspects are important to make safe driving decisions:

• You have to be able to see without glare and reflections during the day, but also clearly and with contrast at night. Your eye care professional can assist you in selecting anti-glare sunglasses or distance glasses for driving.
• Your vision shouldn’t be obstructed. Keep this in mind when you select your spectacle frames and prescription sunglasses frames. Frames that don’t fit properly can slip and move, blocking parts of your field of vision.
• You must be able to focus on close objects. As mentioned above, from age 40 onwards drivers may start to suffer from the onset of presbyopia which gradually causes vision to deteriorate.

The right spectacle lenses and well-fitted spectacle frames will be the solution to every one of these vision requirements. Remember to discuss your visual needs with your eye care professional when you go for an eye test. Give them as much background information as possible and mention whether you drive frequently, or experience any problems when night-driving. This way, they will be able to take everything into consideration and prepare the best possible prescription driving glasses.

If you experience any difficulty when driving, it’s important to get a professional opinion from a registered eye care professional or eye doctor. To determine how well you see contrast and colour, you can do The ZEISS Online Vision Check.

• Identify a few options where you can clearly see that the frame and temples are as slim as possible and join at the top edge. Your eye care professional can guide you here.
• Next, consider the size of the lenses. The larger the lenses, the fewer head movements are needed to check the rear-view and side mirrors, so eliminate the frames that only allow for small or narrow lenses.
• Ask your eye care professional to show you which spectacle frames have curved lenses, as this will help to reduce distracting incident light coming in from the sides.
• Make sure that the frames rest comfortably and securely on your nose to ensure that it remains in place even during rapid head movements. You can move your head from side to side and mimic your driving movements when trying the frames on.