October 26: Drivers will, overnight, be thrown into darker driving conditions – how can we help?
Darker conditions from 26 October are set to trouble drivers faced with an hour less daylight for their journeys. Many will start to limit their night-time driving, but others will seek help from their local optical practice.
OSA members are keen to promote the most advanced diagnostics and lenses to address these challenges. Many will to be on display at 100% Optical (28 Feb -2 March 2026): The time to come and speak to the experts and to find out what will best enhance the practice offering.
“Glare from high intensity LED and HID headlights is one of the most pressing challenges often creating disabling glare, and not one which is about to disappear,” said OSA Director Julian Wiles, who has extensive experience in this market at Managing Director of Performance Lenses.
“Eye care practitioners need to educate themselves and to learn why LED lighting is different. If a patient complains about glare the answer is ‘we have a lens for that’. OSA members also have technology to mimic night-time driving conditions within the practice for the optimum dispense,” he added.
2026 is set to see long-overdue mandatory testing for drivers to reduce the likelihood that their vision is not a factor in road safety. OSA member companies are looking forward to explaining how their technology can keep patients driving when visual challenges at night arise.
Ibis Vision is encouraging UK drivers to check whether their vision meets the legal driving standard. Bridging the gap between patients and providers, Ibis Vision is inviting practices to join its referral network. Through its direct-to-consumer platform, CheckMy.Vision, drivers can take a quick assessment. If results indicate a need for further evaluation, users are directed to book an appointment with their local optometrist for a comprehensive eye examination. For those who meet the driving standard, a two-year reminder is provided to maintain regular eye health by attending examinations. All users, regardless of their results, are offered the option of a referral to a local optician, reinforcing the importance of ongoing and proactive vision care. The campaign has run from late September through October. Visit the link – https://www.lite.ibisvision.co.uk/
Laura Hillhouse-Fleming, Ibis Vision Marketing Head, explained –
“The link can be emailed or texted to patients, so it is a great way to engage, and for the free to use link to be passed around to family and friends. If the link does not come from a specific practice, users can opt to be referred to a local optometrist. We’re growing our network and, for this campaign, joining the referral network is completely free.”
For practices looking for greater engagement Ibis Vision is offering a “white label” version of the app which is fully customised, with all referrals directed exclusively to them.
Grafton Optical is keen for practices to learn more about drivers’ vision screening with the Frey AP-600 Lite Automated Perimeter visual field analyser. Meeting the DVLA’s Esterman 1 and 2 Test standards, it is suitable for assessing drivers’ vision against recognised UK requirements, said Kate Nolan, Grafton Optical Marketing Manager.
“The AP600 Lite offers comprehensive features and supports static perimetry with threshold and suprathreshold strategies, enabling fast and flexible testing across a wide range of clinical and occupational settings. It includes automated eye tracking and fixation monitoring, using liquid lens technology and camera-based controls to ensure test accuracy. Networking options, including DICOM connectivity, support seamless integration with practice systems.”
Younger Transitions Drivewear lenses emphasise the benefits of combining photochromic and polarizing technology, as Julian Wiles explained –
“The lenses adjust in response to UV and visible light—changing from high contrast yellow green in low light, to copper behind a car windshield, and to dark brown in intense sunlight. This adaptive performance maximizes useful light, enhances contrast and depth perception, and ensures comfortable, crisp vision across variable conditions.
“The NuPolar technology behind Drivewear reduces blinding glare from wet roads, and windscreens, significantly boosting safety compared to conventional sunglass or photochromic lenses.
“LED Pro is the first patented ophthalmic lens technology for people exposed to LED light, wherever that may be: night driving, offices and homes, indoor sports arenas and supermarkets. LED Pro lenses have a narrow band selective dye in mass. Additionally, LED light emits two peaks at 450nm and 550nm and Led Pro lenses absorb 50% at 450nm and 70% at 550nm depending on the Rx. Headlight glare may be a thing of the past.”
Ellivron Managing Director, Frank Norville,stressed that individual sensitivity to LED light output varies considerably for a variety of reasons including age, speed of light/dark adaptation, visual and general health. He believes that the profession needs to fine-tune the correct level of relief to offer individual patients –
“One single lens outcome is unlikely sufficient for all. Whilst we anticipate the Younger’s new LED-PRO lens will act as the prime LED light abating general use absorber, for those who need a sharper LED cut off we have created a 455nm band absorber: END-ELLIVRON night driving, which is a vacuum deposited precision optics coating. This still maintains high levels of overall transmission at 88%. This gives us the opportunity to offer a wide range of indices and lens forms on which to place the END VAC coating.”
EssilorLuxottica’s Crizal Drive premium AR coating boasts up to 90% less reflections when driving at night. Citing the estimated 31% of people who avoid night driving, this represents an opportunity for optical practices to address the growing challenge.
Jai Kudo Lenses’ DRIVESENSE freeform lens design includes a night vision zone, with -0.25D of additional power to help counter the effects of night myopia, reducing fatigue and improving comfort during night driving. The lenses are promoted as having a wider visual field, minimising unwanted astigmatism and edge blur, with quick adaptation for wearers to enjoy smoother eye movement and easy focus whether glancing at the dashboard, checking mirrors or looking at the road ahead. Available in single vision and progressive options, DRIVESENSE can be combined with advanced coating technologies such as Honeycomb that combats glare and improves clarity.
Rodenstock’s BIG Exact Sensitive lenses with Solitaire LayR provide sharper vision and practical protection against glare. This combination supports faster hazard recognition and greater comfort behind the wheel, says Rodenstock. The company is promoting stable, high-contrast vision across bright sun, shaded streets, and fluctuating road lighting, with fast light adaptation and a wide, uniform field of view that reduces peripheral distortion. The driving-optimized free-form design preserves edge-to-edge sharpness and reduces peripheral distortion, superior contrast and luminance handling for driving. An intermediate zone tuned for dashboard displays, and a prescription delivery that accounts for dynamic lighting rather than a static tint—all in synergy with the LayR coating.
Hoya’s EnRoute lenses come with an extensive support package of marketing materials with every angle covered to facilitate conveying the important safety messages of night-time driving. Posters and patient leaflets, email banners, Facebook and Instagram downloads are all readily available along with a support team to guide practices on the most effective marketing. Key messages of the marketing include:
- Glare reduction through a specially developed filter that minimises discomfort caused by vehicle headlights and streetlights
- Enhanced contrast and clarity, thanks to improved transmission of useful light, helping drivers detect road hazards, pedestrians and traffic signs more easily
- Optimised progressive lens designs for dynamic visual tasks, ensuring sharper focus and smoother transitions between viewing distances
Seiko has a “Hello Darkness, Goodbye Glare” campaign running until January as Verity Kimber, Seiko Marketing Executive explained –
“Some 80% of drivers experience glare and visual discomfort, especially at night and in poor weather.”