Want to Improve Your Night Vision? Try These 5 great hacks

As we get older, we often notice that our night vision seems to be deteriorating, slowly but surely.  This isn’t only inconvenient and irritating, it can also be extremely dangerous, for example, if we need to drive in the dark.  Even if we only want to be able to walk outside in safety, poor night vision places us at greater risk of injury due to trips and falls, and increase the likelihood that we’ll crash into hard or sharp objects.  To help prevent poor night vision gradually limiting what you’re able to do, here are 5 hacks that may help you navigate your life at night, in safety.

It sounds strange, but wearing sunglasses during the day will actually help your vision at night. It’s an old trick used by pilots. Even a few hours in the bright sunlight can mean it will take longer for your eyes to adapt to darkness. Several days of strong sunlight can have an even worse effect on your night vision.  Wear good quality sunglasses, preferably with gray or red lenses, for around 30 minutes before walking or driving in the dark.

As well as wearing sunglasses, you need to make sure that you wear prescription eyeglasses if you need them. If your eyesight is poor but you don’t wear glasses, it will deteriorate further, affecting your ability to see properly at night as well as during the day. It’s already hard enough to see in the dark and having blurred vision will make it even more difficult. Unfortunately, people don’t always realize that they have vision issues because they creep up gradually. That’s why it’s a good idea to get regular eye tests, even if you don’t necessarily notice a problem. If you are prescribed glasses, make sure that you buy a good quality pair. If you shop around online, you can find some affordable pairs that are made in usa to the highest standard. Buying glasses online is a far more affordable option than buying from an optician, and you can still get proper prescription pairs. 

Before venturing into the darkness, give your eyes time to adjust. The simplest way is to wear an eye-mask, like the ones provided by airlines on night flights, which block out all light. A few minutes will suffice. When you step into the dark, your eyes will have adjusted.

An alternative is to rub your hands together, creating warmth, then cup them over your eyes. Apply the gentlest pressure.  Keep them over your eyes for a few minutes and this will help the adjustment process.

According to statistics, most traffic accidents happen at night, and although we only do 25% of our driving at night, they account for up to 50% of fatalities.  The most common cause of night driving accidents is glare from the headlight beams of oncoming vehicles or the reflection from wet surfaces after rain or snow.  When you consider how easily this could result in an accident involving a pedestrian, a huge truck, or a concrete post, it’s obvious that the consequences of a single instant of vision-loss can be devastating. 

If you’re concerned about your poor vision when driving at night, consider purchasing yellow tinted glasses. They’re a valuable aid in poor lighting conditions. Their primary function is to reduce glare.  They improve the contrast between objects, so you’re not straining to make things out. They also make night driving more comfortable by helping your eyes adjust to changes in color, judge distance more accurately, and improve peripheral vision.

Yellow tinted glasses can also be useful in other situations. For example, when you’re camping or hiking they’ll help you see and move around more safely at twilight or in total darkness.

 Consult your ophthalmologist who will advise on which lens will be most appropriate for your needs.

Most people are aware of the adage that carrots are good for the eyes, because of their high Vitamin A content.  However, before you rush to buy Vitamin A supplements, consider that there are actually two forms.  

Pro-vitamin A can be produced by the body from carotenoids found in vegetables and certain fruits. However, up to 45% of people have a genetic mutation which prevents pro-vitamin A from being converted into actual Vitamin A.  

The other form is retinol, which is also known as Vitamin A1. This is only available in animal-based foods: liver, meats, cheeses etc. 

If you want to increase your intake of Vitamin A to support your overall eye health, ensure that any supplement you choose contains retinol as the main ingredient, rather than alpha-carotene or beta-carotene.

Your eyes are moved by muscles, so, like the rest of your body, exercise helps to keep them in good shape and moving freely.

If you don’t see well in low light, a natural response is to focus your gaze intensely on whatever’s directly in front of you.  However, to be safe you also need to stay aware of what’s at the edge of your vision. 

Try this exercise. Focus on a point, straight ahead, and level with your eyes.  Lift your arms straight out in front of you, with your thumbs pointing upwards. Without moving your head, shift your focus to the left thumb, then to the right thumb. Only your eyes move. If you find this too easy, open the arms a little wider. Repeat 10-20 times.  Rest your eyes after their workout!