Being able to jump in your vehicle and drive wherever you want is a special type of freedom. But if you notice your vision gets blurry when driving, this can limit that freedom. It can even endanger your life.

Why does your vision get blurry when driving? There are multiple reasons for this, some being common and others more severe. For example, you could simply experience tired eyes, dry eyes or eye strain. Or, you could have a major eye health problem that requires immediate attention from your optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Let’s look at some of the common reasons why your vision gets blurry when driving, below. Then, you can know whether you need to see an eye doctor. If so, they can help you get back in the driver’s seat with clear vision.
 

Why does my vision get blurry when driving?

If your vision gets blurry when driving, do not panic. Most of the causes of this condition are minor. But of course, even minor problems with your vision require the attention of your optometrist. You want to ensure you are safe when behind the wheel of your car.

Common reasons why vision gets blurry when driving include:

• Eye strain, such as when driving too long

• Dry eye, such as from the air conditioner blowing toward you or from dry eye syndrome

• Light sensitivity caused by photophobia, also causing headaches and eye pain

• Cataracts, typically occurring later in life

• Myopia, also called nearsightedness, making you strain to see distant objects and fatiguing your eyes

• Astigmatism, a refractive error causing things to appear out of focus and requiring vision correction
   

Simply resting or stopping for sleep can help reduce your eye strain, if that is the reason your vision gets blurry when driving. If you have dry eyes from the air conditioner in your vehicle, try wearing sunglasses or clear glasses to protect your eyes from the blowing air or turn off the air conditioner, altogether. Otherwise, your eye doctor can recommend eye drops for dry eyes if you suffer from the condition known as dry eye syndrome.

If you suffer photophobia and your vision gets blurry when driving, try wearing protective lenses with anti-reflective coating. You can choose sunglasses with this coating for daytime and clear lenses for night.

Cataracts, myopia and astigmatism are all correctable vision problems. Your eye doctor diagnoses each of these conditions and recommends appropriate treatment. For cataracts, aging adults typically need to undergo surgery. Luckily, this very common eye surgery only takes you off the road for several days of healing time.

Myopia, nearsightedness, is correctable through an eyeglasses or contact lens prescription that can help with eye strain if your vision gets blurry when driving. Glasses or contact lenses also correct astigmatism to soothe your eyes and prevent blurriness when driving.
 

Prevent Eye Strain When Driving

By far, the most common cause of blurry vision when driving is eye strain. You can prevent this condition by following some simple tips. These tips for driving include:

• Wear your glasses or contacts and ensure the prescription is up-to-date

• See your eye doctor for a vision exam

• Wear sunglasses with UV protection for driving when it is sunny outside

• If you wear glasses, choose photochromic lenses that automatically adjust to light changes

• Rest your eyes by taking more breaks when driving
   

Obviously, your vision is critical for safe driving. As a result, you should respect your vision and see your eye doctor for eye exams regularly. During these exams, the doctor checks your vision to determine whether you need glasses or contact lenses. They also look for signs of common eye health problems, such as astigmatism, cataracts and dry eye syndrome. Your eye doctor is also the right person to talk to if your vision gets blurry when driving.
 

Schedule Your Eye Exam at Clarity Vision Today

Clarity Vision offers multiple locations in North Carolina and Virginia for your convenience. These locations include:

• Smithfield, NC

• Apex, NC

• Holly Springs, NC

• Williamston, NC

• Clayton, NC

• Suffolk, VA

As part of your eye exam appointment, you have the opportunity to find out why your vision gets blurry when driving. Schedule your visit with your Clarity Vision optometrist or ophthalmologist today.