Would you believe that more than 90% of the decisions and reactions we make behind the wheel depend on good vision?
If so, you'll be shocked to learn that a recent survey reveals a disturbing fact -- one in five eyeglass wearers sometimes drive without their prescription glasses. Instead, they wear non-prescription sunglasses, quickly making daytime driving unnecessarily treacherous.
Most of us think that driving in a bright, sunny day is better than driving at night or in the rain. The reality is that blinding glare from sun, snow and other vehicles is a significant contributing factor to fatal auto accidents.
Kim Schuy is Senior Global Director of Marketing for Essilor, the leadingmanufacturer of optical lenses in the United States. She says thatonly one-third of eyeglass wearers have prescription sunglasses with polarized lenses.
"As our roadways heat up this winter and glare from the sun and snow increases, it's critical that consumers discuss with their eye-care professional the life-saving benefits of prescription, polarized lenses," Schuy said.
Trouble seeing while driving on sunny and snowy days is very common among glasses wearers. However, 60% of those with prescription sunglasses, particularly those with polarized lenses, experience less trouble.
A clinical study conducted by Essilor as a precursor to the survey found that driver reaction times improve by one-third of a second for drivers who wear polarized lenses.
For a car traveling 50 miles per hour, one-third of a second allows a driver to stop 23 feet sooner, or the length of an intersection. In glare-intense situations, polarized lenses improve vision clarity by 75%, as opposed to ordinary sun lenses.
