Glasses for driving

How blue light filter glasses can help at night

This is cause for concern: four out of five drivers see their driving behavior impaired by poor lighting conditions - according to the results of a survey by the market research institute Innofact on behalf of AutoScout24.

It is getting even worse:

18 percent have a poorer view of road signs. 21 percent stated that they are less able to judge distances in the dark than in daylight.

Particularly worrying is the information provided by 6 percent of respondents who often see other road users too late.

These are alarming figures. After all, it's not just about driving comfort, but also about your own safety and the safety of other people.

The fact is: driving at night can be a real challenge. Dazzling headlights, poor visibility and tired eyes often make night-time driving stressful - and even dangerous.

Does this mean that, in the interests of safety, it's best to avoid driving at night altogether?

Not necessarily. There is a solution that helps many drivers: glasses with a blue light filter. Such driving glasses significantly improve vision in traffic and can make driving safer and more pleasant.

But how exactly do blue light filter glasses help when driving? And what should you look out for when buying glasses for driving? In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about relaxed driving at night.

Relaxed driving at night

Why is driving at night so stressful?

Many drivers are familiar with the problem: as soon as the sun goes down, it becomes more difficult to see on the road. The darkness makes visibility poorer. Once the eyes have become accustomed to the darkness, the bright headlights of oncoming vehicles are all the more dazzling. The increasing use of LED lamps and xenon headlights means that the glare is particularly strong. In some situations, you may even have to drive blind for a few seconds.

If it is also raining, visibility is guaranteed to be catastrophic. Reflections on wet roads or fog make it considerably more difficult to see.

Studies show: Driving at night is dangerous

Studies show that around 40% of all road accidents occur at night, even though the volume of traffic is significantly lower than during the day. According to a report by the Federal Highway Research Institute on the Accidents at night:

"Generally speaking, night-time accidents are particularly serious. In 2002, for example, around 28% of all accidents involving personal injury occurred at night, whereas the proportion of fatalities in night-time accidents is considerably higher at 42%."

But why is this the case?

Among other things, it is due to reduced visibility, reaction delays caused by fatigue and glare from headlights.

Situations in which drivers are briefly dazzled by oncoming light and do not recognize important obstacles or road markings in time are particularly dangerous. In addition, the eye reacts more slowly to changes in poor lighting conditions, which further increases the risk of accidents.

Another important point: human eyes are optimized for daylight. At night, our ability to distinguish colors decreases and peripheral vision is limited. This makes it harder to see obstacles or pedestrians at the side of the road.

Fortunately, it is possible to improve lighting conditions, counteract fatigue, optimize vision in traffic and increase safety. The secret is to avoid blue light.

The role of blue light in night vision

Blue light is a natural component of sunlight. We are more exposed to it in everyday life than ever before - namely whenever we use LED screens, for example on smartphones, tablets and computers.

Blue light spectrum LED, tablet and smartphone

This causes problems: Blue light has a short wavelength and high energy, which can put a lot of strain on our retinas. Especially when driving in the dark or at dusk, too much blue light can cause us to see less clearly and tire more quickly.

The headlights of modern cars, which often have a high blue component, are particularly problematic. This is not only very dazzling, but can also impair road safety. What's more, LED headlights with a high blue component put more strain on the eye than classic halogen headlights, as they cause more intense light scattering.

Blue light can also affect the sleep-wake cycle by delaying the release of melatonin. This can be particularly problematic after long car journeys, as the body is less able to adjust to the recovery phase.

How do blue light filter glasses help when driving?

Special blue light filter glasses can make driving at night much more pleasant. They reduce the blue component in the light and thus improve contrast. Ideally, you will be able to see road markings, obstacles and other vehicles more clearly. These glasses can also reduce eye strain, which can reduce headaches and fatigue-related vision problems.

Blue light filter glasses also ensure that the light is perceived more harmoniously. As a result, reflections from wet or rainy conditions on the road can have less of a disturbing effect.

These glasses can also help the eyes to adjust when suddenly switching from dark to light areas. Particularly in poor visibility conditions, such as in rain, fog or on unlit roads, a good pair of driving glasses can make the difference between safe driving and potential danger.

Study: Effects of a blue light-filtering intraocular lens on driving safety in glare conditions

The study aimed to investigate whether the already known benefit of blue light filtering intraocular lenses (IOLs) for safe driving under glare conditions still exists in patients with implanted blue light filtering toric IOLs. The study was conducted at the Department of Applied Psychology at Arizona State University in Mesa, Arizona, and was designed as a comparative case series.

Patients who had either a blue light filtering toric IOL or an ultraviolet (UV) filtering non-toric IOL implanted participated in the study. All participants had good visual acuity and a valid driver's license.

During the experiment, they wore their individual best spherocylindrical correction. They completed driving simulations in which they had to perform left-turn maneuvers in front of oncoming traffic. The safety margin was calculated as the time remaining until the possible collision, minus the time needed to make the turn. These measurements were carried out both under normal lighting conditions and under glare. The glare source simulated a low sun, as typically occurs during daylight driving.

Of the 33 participants who could be evaluated, 18 had a blue light-filtering toric IOL and 15 had a UV-filtering non-toric IOL. Under glare conditions, the group with the blue light filtering IOL showed a significantly greater safety margin of 2.676 seconds on averagewhile the participants with the UV-filtering IOL had a smaller safety margin of 2.179 seconds. In addition, the glare sensitivity was significantly lower in the test group than in the control group. This applied to both the driving simulations with and without glare.

The study concluded that the blue light filtering toric IOL produced a significantly better reduction in glare sensitivity than the UV filtering non-toric IOL. This led to an improved ability of drivers to perform left turn maneuvers more safely in low sun conditions.

Advantages of blue light filter glasses for drivers

Blue light filter glasses can offer drivers numerous benefits, especially when driving in difficult lighting conditions.

They can reduce glare from headlights, LED lights and reflections, making visibility more comfortable overall. They can also improve contrast so that roads, road markings and obstacles can be seen more clearly.

Another advantage is the reduced strain on the eyes. As the retina is protected, vision generally remains stable for longer, which is particularly important on longer journeys. At the same time, Blueblocker glasses can contribute to increased safety at the wheel, as they can reduce fatigue and headaches and thus contribute to a more relaxed driving experience.

Especially when driving at night or at dusk, visibility can be noticeably improved by filtering out blue light. Ideally, this also optimizes reaction times, which reduces the risk of accidents.

Overall, the reduced strain on the eyes can ensure a more pleasant and stress-free perception of the surroundings, which makes driving much more comfortable.

What should you look out for when buying glasses for driving?

If you are looking for glasses for driving, you should pay attention to the following points:

Blue light filter: Make sure that the lenses have been specially developed for road traffic and contain a high-quality blue light filter.
Anti-reflective coating: Driving glasses with anti-reflective coating reduce glare and ensure clearer vision.
High-quality lenses: Good quality driving glasses improve vision and can also be made with prescription lenses as required.
Comfortable temples: A comfortable fit is particularly important on long car journeys.

Conclusion: More safety and comfort with blue light filter glasses

Blueblocker glasses for driving by Lichtblock

Driving at night is often stressful, but with the right glasses it can be more relaxed and safer. High-quality blue light filter glasses can reduce glare, improve contrast and protect your eyes. This allows you to ride more safely and comfortably in the dark.

With Lichtblock you will find a selection of high-quality Blueblocker glasses that have been specially developed for drivers. Take a look at the models and find the perfect goggles for your next night drive!

Whether you take long trips on the highway or only occasionally drive in the dark, a good pair of driving glasses can significantly improve your safety. Invest in a high-quality visual aid to reach your destination safely and relaxed.

Remember that good vision on the road is one of the most important prerequisites for accident-free driving. With the right glasses, you can significantly increase your comfort and safety!

FAQs: How do Blueblocker glasses help when driving at night?

Why is driving at night more stressful for the eyes?

The human eye is optimized for seeing in daylight. In the dark, the pupil dilates to take in more light, but this leads to increased scattering of light sources such as headlights. The high blue component of LED and xenon headlights in particular causes glare, as short-wave light is scattered more strongly.

How do blue blocker glasses work?

Blueblocker glasses specifically filter out short-wave blue light (wavelengths of approx. 380-500 nm). This reduces glare and improves contrast. This leads to a more pleasant view, especially in poor lighting conditions.

Why is blue light particularly problematic when driving?

Blue light is scattered more strongly by the eye than long-wave light (e.g. red or yellow light). This scattering leads to a halo effect around light sources, which makes it more difficult to see in traffic. In addition, high exposure to blue light can disrupt melatonin production.

What advantages do blue blocker glasses offer when driving?

Blueblocker glasses can significantly reduce glare from oncoming headlights, resulting in a more relaxed view in particular and a more comfortable ride in general. The glasses can also improve contrast and depth perception, which is particularly beneficial in low light conditions or on wet roads.

In addition, the filtering of blue light reduces visual fatigue in the eyes, which can lead to greater concentration and less stress when driving in the long term.

Another advantage is the reduction of reflections, especially on wet roads, which minimizes annoying light effects.

All these factors contribute to a safer and more comfortable driving experience, especially on long journeys or in difficult visibility conditions at night.

Do Blueblocker glasses affect color perception?

Depending on the intensity of the filter, there may be a slight change in color perception. Many driving glasses are designed to reduce blue light without significantly altering the other color spectra. This also applies to the Blueblocker glasses in the Lichtblock online store.

Are Blueblocker glasses suitable for all drivers?

Yes, they can be used by anyone. However, people who are sensitive to glare or who frequently have to do long journeys at night will particularly benefit.

Is there scientific evidence for the effectiveness of Blueblocker glasses?

Yes, several studies show that blue light filters can reduce visual fatigue and improve contrast perception. A study by the American Academy of Ophthalmology confirms that blue light reduction is particularly beneficial when driving at night.

Can I get Blueblocker glasses with my prescription?

Yes, many manufacturers offer blue blocker glasses with individual prescription. In our store you will find Blueblocker glasses without prescription but also Blueblocker clip-ons which you can easily attach to your prescription glasses.