Survey Shows 1 in 5 Eyeglass Wearers Drive Without Rx Glasses

More then 90 percent of decisions and reactions made behind the wheel depend on good vision_ While many believe a bright, sunny day is optimal for driving, the reality is that blinding glare from sun, snow and vehicles is a significant contributing factor to fatal auto accidents. ~ Additionally, a recent survey commissioned by Essilor of America, Inc., revea1ed a disturbing fact that 20 percent of eyeglass wearers sometimes drive without their prescription glasses and instead wear non-prescription sunglasses, quickly making day-driving unnecessarily treacherous. For blinding glare when driving, simple solutions abound in the form of polarized, prescription sunglasses. In fact, 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 1ength of an intersection. In glare-intense situations, polarized lenses improve vision clarity by 75 percent, as opposed to ordinary sun lenses, allowing wearers to enjoy better clarity of vision. "Only one-third of eyeglass wearers have prescription sunglasses with polarized lenses," said Kim Schuy, senior global director of Marketing, Essilor. "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".

Trouble seeing while driving on sunny and/or snowy days is very common among glasses wearers. However, those with prescription sunglasses, particular those with polarized lenses, experience less trouble. Specifically, more than 60 percent of eyeglass wearers surveyed agree that when driving during the day; glare from sun and snow makes it difficult to see while driving, noted Essiolr's survey.

From American Optometric Association "News" Jan 2011