As the days shorten and evenings draw in, many drivers notice that night driving feels more challenging.
Headlight glare, halos, and reduced contrast can make even familiar routes feel uncomfortable or tiring. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and you may remember seeing our very own Rachael Smith from the Winchester branch discussing this exact issue on the BBC news at this time last year.
Night driving difficulties are common, but the good news is that there are practical solutions. At Rawlings Opticians & Hearing Care, we’ve been helping our patients see clearly on the road for over a century, and we can offer some of the very latest lens technology designed specifically for drivers.
Why does night driving feel harder?
Our eyes are simply not designed to work as well in low light. As we age, our pupils become less responsive, and the lens inside the eye may scatter more light—causing glare from oncoming headlights or streetlamps. Some people also experience reduced contrast sensitivity, making it harder to judge distances or spot hazards quickly. Add that to glare from brighter headlamps sometimes
set too high, challenging weather conditions and busier roads – these factors can all add up to a less enjoyable driving experience.
While a thorough eye examination is always the first step (sometimes difficulties stem from uncorrected prescription changes or early signs of cataracts), for many patients, specialist driving lenses can make a world of difference.
The benefits of Hoya EnRoute lenses
One of our favourite recommendations for drivers is the Hoya EnRoute lens range, which has been designed to make night driving clearer and more comfortable.
Here’s why our patients love them:
- Reduced glare: Special lens coatings minimise the dazzling effect of modern LED and xenon headlights.
- Sharper contrast: Colours and details appear clearer, so spotting road signs and pedestrians becomes easier.
- Tailored for drivers: EnRoute is available in both single vision and varifocal designs, so whether you need help with distance or multiple focal points, there’s a solution.
- Comfort on longer journeys: By easing visual strain, EnRoute lenses help combat “driving fatigue,” especially useful for those who commute or travel after dark.
Your next steps
If you’ve noticed that driving at night feels more stressful than it used to, don’t ignore it. Book a comprehensive eye examination at your local Rawlings branch. Our experienced optometrists will check your eye health, update your prescription if needed, and advise whether Hoya EnRoute or another tailored lens solution is right for you. If you’ve had an eye examination recently and have an up-to-date prescription, our dispensing teams will be happy to help without needing an appointment. Bring your current glasses for checking – as scratches or surface deterioration (which you may not be able to detect yourself) can contribute to glare. Make sure you keep your own headlights and windscreen clean over the winter period.
With the evenings only getting darker, now is the perfect time to act. Clearer, safer, and more comfortable night driving could be just one appointment away.
