BROWSE CAR REVIEWS BY:
MAKE
MODEL
Click on a car body type for search results.
 |
 |
| SUVs (two rows) | SUVs (three rows) |
 |
 |
| Crossover | Minivans |
 |
 |
| Sedan | Hybrids |
 |
 |
| Wagons/Hatchbacks | Just for Fun |
Blinded By the Night
Nov 30 2007 by Courtney Messenbaugh
11/30/2007
Study: Seeing at Night Harder for Women Than for Men
I just got some new specs. They're red, they're funky and they make me look uber-intelligent. Oh, and they allow me to see at night. Hip, hip hooray! I have been blinded by the night for a while now, just sort of getting by. Then I got this cool job that offers me the opportunity to drive around in press vehicles (i.e., not mine), which got me thinking I better be darn sure I'm doing everything in my power to avoid accidents. Thus, the new glasses.
Evidently, we women are more commonly afflicted with night vision problems than are men. It figures. Since we see everything else in life so much more clearly than them, I guess it's only natural that we should have one shortcoming in clarity...
According to a new survey by Acuvue (which makes contact lenses) and Road and Travel magazine, folks like me with night vision issues are in large supply. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Safety Council say the fatality rate at night is three times higher than during the day. Yikes!
I spoke with Sheara Reich, who's handling the public relations for Acuvue on this survey, and she shared some very interesting facts. Check it out:
- 70 percent of women say they sometimes have trouble seeing when driving in the dark, compared to 49 percent of men.
- Women also report that they have significantly more problems than men when it comes to seeing signs, exits, animals or pedestrians when driving in the dark.
- Women report being more bothered than men by headlights from oncoming traffic or cars behind them (71 percent versus 49 percent).
- One-third of women say that having trouble seeing or experiencing visual discomfort is the most distracting thing for them while driving in the dark. By comparison, men cited talking on the phone as their No. 1 distraction.
The most alarming thing about the survey is that while 73 percent of respondents believe that correcting their vision problems could improve nighttime driving, only 27 percent have ever seen an eye care professional about it.
Meanwhile, I've got my new specs and I can see the road. If you'd like to learn more or view the survey, visit http://www.acuvue.com/pdf/blinded_by_light.pdf.
User Comments
Here’s the creepy thing: That photo actually looks like my real live night vision. Maybe I should have my prescription re-checked…
Chief Mama,
Then your eyes are really having some serious problem when driving at night. Please get them checked ASAP. 
I’m surprised by this. I always thought that women have better peripheral vision which, if I remember correctly, is related to the rods on the retina and it’s the rods that deal with low light vision.
It would be interesting to hear from anyone with specialist knowledge…
Driving Course, I contacted Acuvue’s PR folks to let them know that it would be great if some eye specialist from Acuvue could chime in on your question. Hopefully, they will…
If I do have trouble seeing at night while driving does that automatically mean that I need glasses? I am 18 years old and I have never had glasses before, I have an eye appointment in a few days. I really don’t want to pay the money to get my eyes checked if the trip won’t result in glasses. Does anyone have any clue if you think the doc will prescribe glasses?
You know why men’s number would be so much better?
Because their ego will prevent them from admitting their problem!