Do you struggle to see clearly while driving at night? Are headlights from oncoming cars causing excessive glare or halos?
Many people experience difficulty with night vision, which can impact their quality of life and safety. Keep reading to learn more about what causes poor night vision and the modern treatments available to help improve the quality of your nighttime vision!
What Causes Poor Night Vision?
Poor night vision can stem from several different factors. Refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism often worsen in low-light conditions.
As you age, your pupils may not dilate as widely as they once did, reducing the amount of light entering your eyes. Additionally, many people develop age-related changes that affect their night vision.
After age 40, your visual system naturally becomes less effective in low-light environments. This is why many people notice increased difficulty driving at night as they age.
Can LASIK Improve My Night Vision?
LASIK is one of the most popular vision correction procedures available today and may help improve your night vision. During LASIK, an ophthalmologist reshapes your cornea using a laser to correct refractive errors that can contribute to poor night vision.
Many patients report significant improvements in their night vision following LASIK. By correcting your refractive error, LASIK can reduce problems like glare, halos, and blurriness that are often exacerbated in low-light conditions.
It’s important to understand that while LASIK can reduce your dependence on glasses or contacts, including for night driving, results vary for each person. Some patients may experience temporary side effects like glare or halos at night during the healing process, but these typically resolve within a few weeks to months.
Your ophthalmologist at Frantz EyeCare can determine if you’re a good candidate for LASIK through a comprehensive evaluation of your eye health and visual needs.
What Other Modern Vision Correction Procedures Can Help With Night Vision?
Beyond LASIK, there are several other modern vision correction options that may help improve your night vision:
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)
PRK is similar to LASIK but may be recommended for patients with thinner corneas. Like LASIK, PRK can correct refractive errors that contribute to poor night vision.
The recovery period is slightly longer than LASIK, but the visual results are comparable.
EVO ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens)
EVO ICL is an excellent option for patients with high prescriptions or thin corneas. This procedure involves placing a biocompatible lens inside the eye to work with your natural optical system.
Many EVO ICL patients report excellent night vision quality because the procedure doesn’t remove corneal tissue and can effectively correct higher degrees of refractive errors.
RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange) with Premium Lenses
RLE involves replacing your eye’s natural lens with an advanced artificial intraocular lens (IOL). This procedure is particularly beneficial for people over 40 experiencing presbyopia (age-related farsightedness) and those developing early cataracts.
Premium lens options available during RLE include:
- Multifocal IOLs that provide clear vision at multiple distances
- Extended depth of focus IOLs that offer an expanded range of clear vision
- Toric IOLs that correct astigmatism
These premium lenses can significantly improve your overall vision quality, including your ability to see in low-light conditions. Some premium IOLs are specifically designed to reduce glare and halos at night, making them an excellent option for improving night vision.
How Do I Know Which Vision Correction Option Is Right for Me?
Choosing the right vision correction procedure depends on various factors unique to your eyes and visual needs. During a comprehensive eye evaluation at Frantz EyeCare, your ophthalmologist will perform specialized diagnostic tests to determine the root cause of your night vision problems.
Based on these findings, they can recommend the most appropriate treatment option for your specific situation.
Are you experiencing difficulty seeing at night? Schedule an appointment at Frantz EyeCare in Fort Myers, FL, today!
