Why headlights and night driving can become harder

Cataracts are one possible cause

A cataract is a cloudy area in the eye’s natural lens, which helps focus light. As a cataract develops, vision may become hazy, headlights may seem too bright, and halos can appear around lights. Seeing at night can become difficult. These changes may build gradually, and some people also notice faded colors or frequent changes in their glasses prescription.

These symptoms alone cannot tell you whether you have a cataract. The National Eye Institute advises getting them checked because other eye conditions can cause similar problems. ¹.

Other causes can look similar

Refractive errors are problems with the way light focuses in the eye. They include nearsightedness and astigmatism. Along with blurred or distorted vision, they can cause glare or halos around bright lights. If you already wear glasses or contact lenses, changes in your vision may mean your prescription needs checking. ².

Dry eye can also cause blurred vision and sensitivity to light, sometimes alongside burning or a scratchy feeling. It happens when there are too few tears or the tears do not work properly. An assessment can help identify the cause rather than relying on symptoms alone. ³.

Notice what has changed

Before your appointment, make a short note of the difficulties you have noticed:

• When did they start, and are they becoming more frequent?
• Is the main problem glare, halos, blur, or difficulty reading signs?
• Does it happen only after dark, or during daytime activities too?
• Have you noticed discomfort, redness, or other changes?
• Have you changed your travel plans because seeing feels difficult?

Bring your usual glasses and information about your contact lenses, if you use them. Describe specific situations rather than simply saying that your vision feels worse. Do not test your vision by continuing to drive when you feel unsafe.

Put safety first while you arrange an assessment

If you cannot see well enough to drive confidently and safely after dark, avoid night driving and arrange another way to travel. Consider asking someone else to drive or moving a journey to daylight, provided your daytime vision is safe too.

When booking, explain that the change affects driving and ask how soon you should be seen. An appointment is also an opportunity to ask whether your current vision correction is appropriate and whether there are restrictions you should follow while the cause is assessed.

What an eye examination can clarify

Your eye doctor can check your vision and prescription and examine your eyes for possible causes. A dilated examination can help identify cataracts and other eye problems.

If a cataract is found, the next step depends on how it affects your daily activities. An updated prescription may help in the early stages. Surgery may be discussed when a cataract interferes with activities such as driving; a diagnosis does not automatically mean immediate surgery.

Changes that need urgent care

Seek urgent eye care or go to an emergency department immediately for a sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, or a dark curtain or shadow across your vision. These can be warning signs of retinal detachment. ⁴.

Intense eye pain, especially with sudden blurred vision, redness, or nausea, also needs immediate medical attention. These symptoms can occur with angle-closure glaucoma. Do not wait for a routine appointment. ⁵.

This article provides general education and cannot determine the cause of your symptoms or whether it is safe for you to drive.