Does astigmatism affect driving at night?

Hi, it’s Dr. Chotiner from Memorial Eye Institute. If you have astigmatism and want to drive at night, I have some good news for you.

Astigmatism is a common vision condition that affects how light enters your eye. Before laser eye surgery, astigmatism sufferers may notice that the condition impacts how you see car headlights and street lamps when driving at night. That’s because your pupil dilates and allows more light in. That can make you feel distortions of light going through the cornea and lens significantly more challenging.

So, what does driving at night with astigmatism look like?

Symptoms of astigmatism include increased halos or streaks around the lights, which can be difficult and will likely force you to squint in order to better focus. Because astigmatism affects their vision at night (unless they wear contacts or wear glasses to correct it) some people refer to this as “night blindness”.

Thankfully, following laser eye surgery, there’s no reason you won’t be able to drive at night.

Post-surgery, you may notice an improvement in your vision when driving at night.

To learn more about laser eye surgery for astigmatism, please book online for a free virtual vision assessment on our website today.

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I was well taken care of. They took good care of my things. Dr. Erik Chotiner did an excellent job. I am so happy to see quite clearly with my eye that has macular degeneration.
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Dr. Bennett Chotiner
M.D., F.A.C.S.

MEDICAL DIRECTOR, GENERAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, CATARACT & REFRACTIVE SURGERY, LASIK SURGERY

Dr. Bennett Chotiner is the founder and medical director of Memorial Eye Institute. A noted innovator, in 1977 he established his clinical practice, the Pennsylvania Eye Associates. In 1984, he established the Pennsylvania Eye Surgery Center, Pennsylvania’s first …

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Dr. Erik A Chotiner
M.D., F.A.C.S.

GENERAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, CATARACT & REFRACTIVE SURGERY, LASIK SURGERY

Erik Chotiner, M.D. diagnoses and treats a wide range of medical eye conditions. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Franklin and Marshall College. Dr. Chotiner attended Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia where he received multiple awards including the Physiology Prize for …

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