Vision Experts and Law Enforcement Agree - Driving and Sun Glare Can
Be a Deadly Mixture
WASHINGTON, Dec.
30 /PRNewswire/ -- As the nation braces for more winter weather, there
may be an increase in the number of traffic accidents due to motorists
being temporarily blinded by the sun, mainly because of the glare from
highly reflective snow and ice. Without adequate protection, sun glare
not only endangers drivers' safety, but also creates a vision-health
hazard for winter outdoor enthusiasts.
According to lens expert David Rips, problems associated with glare
from the sun while driving are largely unrecognized, but likely affect
the vast majority of adults. It also appears that as people age, they
become more susceptible to glare and require a longer period of time
to recover from exposure to glare.
"The danger
comes primarily from two different conditions of light from the sun,"
said Rips, president and chief executive officer of Younger Optics,
an international leader in the development of lens technology. "One
occurs when driving directly into the bright sunlight, temporary blinding
the driver. The other condition comes from reflected light off of another
vehicle, the roadway, or any reflective surface."
The glare-induced
"blindness" is especially prevalent during the winter months,
due to the lower elevation of the sun in the sky and the extremely reflective
qualities of snow and ice on the ground. The powerful glare of the winter
sun has the potential to damage the eye. Because snow is so reflective,
there is a risk of up to 85 percent of the UV rays of the sun being
transmitted upward.
"Poor visibility
due to sun glare is the suspected cause of many motor vehicle accidents,"
states Virginia Deputy Sheriff John McAlister. "Drivers should
take the necessary precautions to ensure their safety, as well as the
safety of others on the road."
Vision Council of
America (VCA) offers the following tips for motorists to help reduce
the dangers caused by winter glare:
-- Drive cautiously
and leave a proper distance to ensure ample reactiontime.
-- Make it a habit to lower visors, to help block some of the reflectedlight.
-- Avoid using high-gloss vinyl cleansers on dashboards.
-- Keep the car windshield clean and the windshield washer fluid reservoirfull.
-- When possible, take an alternate route lined with tress or tall
buildings in lieu of one with extreme glare.
-- Turn on headlights to reduce the possible poor visibility of oncoming
drivers.
-- Most importantly, wear sunglasses at all times. Even more important
is to wear sunglasses with polarized lenses to reduce glare, and lenses
with UV protection to shield the eyes from damage.
Using 100 percent polarized lenses is the only truly effective way of
eliminating glare. Polarized and anti-reflective lenses are particularly
good for protecting the eyes from sun glare in the winter, but are also
extremely beneficial year-round. Polarized lenses utilize polarized
filtering technology to deflect and diffuse concentrated light waves.
The filtering process eliminates 99 percent of the reflected glare.
Polarized lenses
also provide excellent protection for the winter outdoor enthusiast
by blocking the glare that can cause eyestrain and fatigue.
"A frequent
problem for skiers, snowmobilers and others who spend a lot of time
in the intense reflective light of snow is 'snow blindness'," according
to Susan Taub, M.D. of The Taub Eye Clinic and the Better Vision Institute.
"This condition can damage the cornea for up to a week, cause eye
pain, extreme sensitivity to light and the sensation of having sand
in your eye."
The reflected UV
rays are believed to contribute to various eye diseases such as cataracts,
macular degeneration and photokeratitis (sunburn of the eyes -- an injury
that can take up to a week to heal). One may also experience blurred
vision, change in color vision or difficulty seeing at night.
It is crucial to
take extra precautions to protect the eyes from its harmful rays. While
sunwear has been a popular and fashionable accessory for years, protective
eyewear is especially critical now as scientists point out the rapid
deterioration of the Earth's ozone layer and subsequent increased amount
of harmful UV rays.
Regular comprehensive
eye exams help to ensure optimal vision health. Eyecare professionals
also can assist in the selection of the appropriate protective and fashionable
eyewear in order to suit everyone's lifestyle needs.
For more information
on vision health, please visit http://www.checkyearly.com
.
The Vision Council
of America (VCA) is the largest optical trade association in the world,
comprised of corporations whose business is the manufacturing, processing
and distribution of eyewear and eye care products or services. With
the help of its members and the Better Vision Institute (BVI), VCA's
mission is to create awareness of the value of vision care and to grow
the eyewear market through education, forums and expositions, industry
statistics, data, technical standards and advocacy.
Source: Vision Council of America
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