# Trouble seeing when driving at night? Causes and fixes > Trouble seeing at night is most often caused by a small uncorrected prescription, astigmatism, early cataracts or dry eyes. In the dark your pupils widen, which makes any blur or scatter in the eye far more noticeable. An up-to-date pair of glasses with an anti-reflective coating and a clean windscreen fix the problem for most drivers. Source: https://seebetter.co.za/blog/night-driving-glare/ Publisher: See Better (https://seebetter.co.za/) Section: Driving, work and seniors Published: 2026-10-11 Last updated: 2026-10-11 ## Key points - Even a mild prescription that you cope with by day can cause real trouble at night. - Streaks and starbursts suggest astigmatism. Haze and halos suggest cataracts. - Yellow night driving glasses do not help, and tinted lenses reduce the light you need. - If night driving has become stressful, have your eyes tested before your next long trip. ## Why vision is worse at night In low light your pupils open wide to let in more light. A wide pupil uses more of the eye's optics, including the less perfect outer parts of the lens and cornea, and it shortens your depth of focus. Small focusing errors that are hidden in daylight are exposed. There is also less contrast, colour vision fades, and each set of headlights leaves your eyes needing a few seconds to recover. All of this is normal. It becomes a problem when something in the eye adds to it. ## The most common causes ### A small uncorrected prescription Mild short-sightedness that barely matters by day can make road signs unreadable at night. Many people are also slightly more short-sighted in the dark, an effect called night myopia. If your glasses are a few years old, this is the first thing to check. See [10 signs you need glasses](https://seebetter.co.za/blog/signs-you-need-glasses/). ### Astigmatism Uncorrected [astigmatism](https://seebetter.co.za/blog/what-is-astigmatism/) stretches points of light into streaks, starbursts and smears, and it is most obvious with headlights and traffic lights. ### Cataracts A clouding lens scatters light inside the eye, which produces glare, halos and a general haze. Difficulty with night driving is often the first symptom, particularly from the 60s onwards. See [cataracts: early symptoms and treatment](https://seebetter.co.za/blog/cataract-symptoms/). ### Dry eyes An uneven tear film blurs and scatters light. Car heaters and air-conditioning vents aimed at your face make it worse. See [dry eyes: causes and relief](https://seebetter.co.za/blog/dry-eyes-causes-and-relief/). ### Age A 60-year-old eye needs roughly three times as much light as a 20-year-old eye to see the same detail. The pupil gets smaller, the lens yellows, and recovery from glare slows down. ### Less common causes Diabetes that affects the retina, glaucoma, the after-effects of laser eye surgery, vitamin A deficiency and inherited retinal conditions can all reduce night vision. True night blindness, in which you cannot see at all in dim light, is uncommon and always needs investigating. ## Fixes that work ### For your eyes - **Have an eye test,** and say that night driving is the problem. A small prescription just for driving is common. - **Get an anti-reflective coating** on your driving glasses. It removes the reflections of headlights inside your lenses. See [is anti-glare coating worth it?](https://seebetter.co.za/blog/is-anti-glare-coating-worth-it/) - **Keep your glasses spotless.** Smears turn every light into a flare. See [how to clean your glasses](https://seebetter.co.za/blog/how-to-clean-your-glasses/). - **Treat dry eyes** with lubricating drops before a long drive, and aim the vents away from your face. ### For your car - **Clean the windscreen inside and out.** The film that builds up on the inside is a major cause of glare. - **Replace worn wiper blades** and keep the washer bottle full. - **Clean your headlights,** and have their aim checked. Cloudy plastic covers can be polished. - **Dim the dashboard lights and the screen.** A bright cabin makes the road look darker. - **Flip the rear-view mirror to its night setting.** ### For your driving - **Do not look at oncoming headlights.** Look towards the left edge of your lane and use the road markings as a guide until the vehicle has passed. - **Slow down and leave more space.** You should be able to stop within the distance your headlights light up. - **Take breaks.** Tired eyes cope worse with glare. - **Use full beam on unlit roads** when nobody is approaching, and dip it early for others. South African roads add difficulties of their own: unlit stretches, faded markings, potholes, pedestrians and animals at the roadside, and traffic lights that are out. Good night vision matters more here than in many places. ## Do night driving glasses work? Yellow-tinted "night driving glasses" are widely sold. Studies have found that they do not improve how well drivers detect hazards at night and do not reduce the effect of headlight glare. Any tint, yellow included, cuts down the light reaching your eyes, and at night you need all of it. Never drive at night in sunglasses or dark tinted lenses. What does help is a clear lens in your exact prescription with an anti-reflective coating. ## When to stop driving at night and get help Have your eyes tested soon if: - you avoid driving at night because of your vision - glare from headlights leaves you unable to see for several seconds - you have had a near miss in the dark - your night vision has become noticeably worse over a few months > Halos around lights that come with eye pain, a red eye and nausea are an emergency. Get medical help immediately. ## Your licence and your eyes The eye test for a driver's licence is done in bright conditions and only checks that you meet the legal minimum. You can pass it and still be unsafe at night. See [the eye test for your driver's licence](https://seebetter.co.za/blog/drivers-licence-eye-test-south-africa/). See Better tests your eyes at home or at work in Gauteng for R450. ## Frequently asked questions ### Why do I see halos around lights at night? Halos and starbursts are caused by light being scattered or focused unevenly in the eye. Common reasons are an uncorrected prescription, astigmatism, early cataracts and dry eyes. An eye test will show which applies to you. ### Is trouble seeing at night a sign that I need glasses? Often, yes. Night driving is where a small prescription shows up first. Many people who see well by day benefit from glasses for driving at night. ### What is night blindness? Night blindness means difficulty seeing in dim light. It is a symptom, not a disease. Causes range from short-sightedness and cataracts to vitamin A deficiency and inherited retinal conditions, so it always deserves an eye examination. ### Does anti-glare coating help with night driving? Yes. An anti-reflective coating reduces the reflections of headlights and street lights within your lenses. It works best together with an accurate prescription and a clean windscreen. ## About See Better See Better is a mobile optometry practice in Gauteng, South Africa. A qualified, HPCSA-registered optometrist travels to the client's home, workplace, school or event, so there is no practice to visit. - Areas served: Johannesburg, Pretoria (Tshwane), Ekurhuleni (East Rand), the West Rand and the Vaal. - Eye test at home: R450 (cash price). - Eye test + frame + single vision lenses + tint: R1199 (cash price). - Eye test + frame + bifocal lenses + tint: R1699 (cash price). - Eye test + frame + multifocal lenses + tint: R2099 (cash price). - All glasses carry a 1-year warranty. - We are registered with most medical aids and charge at medical aid tariffs. - Book on WhatsApp: +27 66 181 8667 (https://wa.me/27661818667) - Email: info@seebetter.co.za - Website: https://seebetter.co.za/