Polarized lenses for night driving?

[DrNeyecare]

Just wondering, would you ever recommend a polarized lens for night time driving? ie, a yellow polarized lens (to increase light transmission yet reducing glare from headlights)

I recently tried the Drivewear lens, via a voucher given to me from my rep. I actually like the lens. And don't attack me on this guys, but I love this lens for night time driving. I've been comparing it to the Teflon coated AR clear lens I usually drive with. The Drivewear lens (in its yellowish tint stage) shows much significant glare reduction compared to Teflon coated lens during night driving. Plus, the yellowish tint does not cause noticable reduction of light that can cause a hazard.

[CEO]

Doctor, while I am very pleased that you like the Drivewear Lens, please understand that it is not recommended for night driving. It may seem that the yellow-green color does not cut down on the amount of light, but, at 37% Transmission, it unfortunately does. At night, the driver absolutely needs as much light as possible in order to drive safely, and I believe that tints here are not benefical, even very light yellow tints. AR Coatings may be helpful, but certainly either polarized lenses or tints are strickly for daytime use, in my experience.

Once again, I am very glad you like Drivewear, but please limit it's use to daytime use, since it is a sunlens.

Dave Rips - President & CEO Younger Optics (maker of Drivewear)

[cocoisland58]

For dusk and dawn ie: low light conditions, yes. For true night driving, no. Perhaps you could get away with it in the city where artificial lighting is present but out on the country roads you need all the light you can get.

[Diane]

Doctor, while I am very pleased that you like the Drivewear Lens, please understand that it is not recommended for night driving. It may seem that the yellow-green color does not cut down on the amount of light, but, at 37% Transmission, it unfortunately does. At night, the driver absolutely needs as much light as possible in order to drive safely, and I believe that tints here are not benefical, even very light yellow tints. AR Coatings may be helpful, but certainly either polarized lenses or tints are strickly for daytime use, in my experience.

Once again, I am very glad you like Drivewear, but please limit it's use to daytime use, since it is a sunlens.

Dave Rips - President & CEO Younger Optics (maker of Drivewear)

Dave,

Thanks for coming forward early on and setting this subject on the right path. Great lens, but like anything else, it needs to be used for the correct visual tasks.:D

Diane

[Johns]

Just wondering, would you ever recommend a polarized lens for night time driving? ie, a yellow polarized lens (to increase light transmission yet reducing glare from headlights)

Yellow tinted lenses transmit more light only when compared to other tints. Any time you put a tint in front of the eye, you are decreasing the amount of light the eye is getting.

Since vision is based on the amount of light entering the eye, we suggest an AR coating when glasses must be worn.

[Kujiradesu]

Yellow tinted lenses transmit more light only when compared to other tints. Any time you put a tint in front of the eye, you are decreasing the amount of light the eye is getting. Since vision is based on the amount of light entering the eye, we suggest an AR coating when glasses must be worn.

I came here to say this. ANY tint will transmit less light than a clear lens, and visual acuity will be better with a clear lens than with a tinted lens. A clear lens with an A/R coating is best for night driving if you are trying to get the most amount of light transmission possible and best visual acuity.

[bren_03825]

Just wondering, would you ever recommend a polarized lens for night time driving? ie, a yellow polarized lens (to increase light transmission yet reducing glare from headlights)

I recently tried the Drivewear lens, via a voucher given to me from my rep. I actually like the lens. And don't attack me on this guys, but I love this lens for night time driving. I've been comparing it to the Teflon coated AR clear lens I usually drive with. The Drivewear lens (in its yellowish tint stage) shows much significant glare reduction compared to Teflon coated lens during night driving. Plus, the yellowish tint does not cause noticable reduction of light that can cause a hazard.

Having worn the drivewear lens once myself as it changed from dusk to night, it seemed like I could see almost just as well, and it was very comfortable, but yes it did cut down on the ability to "quickly notice" anything, especially off the sides of the road. Living in rural Michigan, that can truly dangerous, with deer and bear. I've recmmended to all my patients who wear tinted lenses all the time, to have a clear pair of at least dvo glasses for night driving, with AR of course.
:cheers:

[DrNeyecare]

Thanks guys! i appreciate the clarification. What you all said made total sense.

Dave (CEO), yes, the Drivewear lens is a good lens. I would say that for daytime driving conditions, I much prefer your Nupolar Grey Polarized lens.
The Drivewear lens doesn't darken enough for me. Just my opinion.

[bren_03825]

Dave (CEO), yes, the Drivewear lens is a good lens. I would say that for daytime driving conditions, I much prefer your Nupolar Grey Polarized lens.
The Drivewear lens doesn't darken enough for me. Just my opinion.

:idea:

I agree with that, doc. I wear the drivewear lenses mainly at dawn and dusk, and overcast days, and gray polarized shades for sunny days. If the drivewear lens could get about 25-35% darker, I would wear it full time.
:cheers:

[BMH]

Yellow at night will play with your color perception. Something or someONE on the side of the road in dark clothing at night would be very hard to see. There is a good article on LaramyK's website about the same subject. Give it a read.

my 2 cents

[RustyS]

Im not as lens savvy as some of these guys but here goes,

Polarized lens film for reducing light transmission has to be dark to get a true polar, a 10% tint on a polar will not provide enough polarization to even consider it worthwhile.

[Uni-Clip]

:idea:

I agree with that, doc. I wear the drivewear lenses mainly at dawn and dusk, and overcast days, and gray polarized shades for sunny days. If the drivewear lens could get about 25-35% darker, I would wear it full time.
:cheers:

CEO, why can't you make your Drivewear darker when fully activated? Somewhere in the literature says that it can be very dark(can't remember the transmission) but in real situation, it was never dark enough. I was in Sydney last week and it was very bright but I think the lens only gets to about 30-25% max. Otherwise, it's a great lens.

[joptician]

I was checking out the drivewear earlier this year and did notice that in its darkest state the transmission must have been around 12-14%. I did not read the transmission but did compare them to a pair of brown C polars and the drivewear was darker with an excellent contrast. I will remark that I have not tested them in the heat but if they are like the typical photochromic they may not get as dark now as they did in the winter.

[optoman3]

DriveWear lenses are the hands down best polarized sunwear I have ever worn. I love them in overcast conditions and even during a rain storm.

[sunglassoutlet]

Just wondering, would you ever recommend a polarized lens for night time driving? ie, a yellow polarized lens (to increase light transmission yet reducing glare from headlights)

I recently tried the Drivewear lens, via a voucher given to me from my rep. I actually like the lens. And don't attack me on this guys, but I love this lens for night time driving. I've been comparing it to the Teflon coated AR clear lens I usually drive with. The Drivewear lens (in its yellowish tint stage) shows much significant glare reduction compared to Teflon coated lens during night driving. Plus, the yellowish tint does not cause noticable reduction of light that can cause a hazard.

It hasn't been scientifically proven till now that why these lenses create a illusion for the drivers that they feel that they are getting a clearer vision while driving.
As the Night Driving Sunglasses are Tinted, they reduce the amount of light entering the eye, this can cause a lot of problems while driving on meekly lit roads as it makes driving a lot more difficult.
If glare at night is a problem then i think you should opt for clear lens sunglasses or Spectacles with Anti Reflection coating which reduce glare and make driving easy.

[Robert Martellaro]

Old thread but good topic. Step #1 is to see an eye doctor to rule out pathology and/or refractive error.

"Yellow 'Night Driving' lenses have been shown to provide no benefit in seeing ability at night. They are even hazardous, because they give the driver a feeling of seeing better, which no one has yet been able to explain. Studies have shown that they actually impair visual performance and retard glare recovery. Many promoters have made unfounded claims for the ability of amber to improve night vision. They have employed mass solicitation, usually by mail. The Federal Trade Commission has correctly ruled that such practices are illegal since the lenses do not perform as claimed." - Forensic Aspects of Vision and Highway Safety", Merrill J. Allen, O.D., Ph.D., Et al.

http://www.sae.org/search/?qt=night+driving&x=13&y=6

[Cah]

still have no idea this kind of lenses are exist, but lot of my clients looking for this kind of glasses ...

[Clear_Magenta]

According to some, Polarized glasses could help in night driving when there is a snow or fog. Other option is a pair of spectacles with clear lenses.

[Uilleann]

Do NOT wear polarized sun lenses for night driving. DO NOT DO IT.
Further, tinted lenses are also unwise for reasons well described in detail in this thread and others.

If you're experiencing glare at night, your first stop would be to the eye doc.
Second stop would be to the auto parts store for a good streak free cleaner. The amount of dirt and film that many drivers allow to build up on their windscreens is often surprising. Particularly on the inner surfaces. Additionally, a good cleaning of the mirrors (all of them) and the side and rear windows will further help to reduce glare at night - sometimes dramatically.

[Quince]

I've been thinking of trying Vantage for all the time, but specifically thinking it would be good for night glare. I am very light sensitive and Drivewear has been great as a dawn/dusk or overcast/rain/snow lens. I have Maui-esque lenses for strong sun and Trans/various blue blocker coating for indoor/night use.

[GrahamEye]

I've been thinking of trying Vantage for all the time, but specifically thinking it would be good for night glare. I am very light sensitive and Drivewear has been great as a dawn/dusk or overcast/rain/snow lens. I have Maui-esque lenses for strong sun and Trans/various blue blocker coating for indoor/night use.

Are you referring to the Transitions Vantage? The Vantage will still be clear at night as it does not have a permanent tint like the Drivewear. The polarization effect will only activate upon full darkening of the lens. The Vantage does have the UV sensitivity of the XtraActive Transitions, so it will more likely change during the day while driving. But still, not at night.

[AngeHamm]

Are you referring to the Transitions Vantage? The Vantage will still be clear at night as it does not have a permanent tint like the Drivewear. The polarization effect will only activate upon full darkening of the lens. The Vantage does have the UV sensitivity of the XtraActive Transitions, so it will more likely change during the day while driving. But still, not at night.

Also, it is CRAZY slow at fading back to clear.

[GrahamEye]

Also, it is CRAZY slow at fading back to clear.

Yes, the Transitions Vantage has the same fade time as the XtraActive. The number one reason why I don't sell very many Vantage is due to people wanting the turn time faster, not slower.

[AngeHamm]

Yes, the Transitions Vantage has the same fade time as the XtraActive. The number one reason why I don't sell very many Vantage is due to people wanting the turn time faster, not slower.

I think the Vantage is much slower to fade than the Xtractive. Vantage is a great product for glasses dedicated to outdoor activities, like running, cycling, hiking, skiing, etc. But for everyday use, the fade time is a deal-breaker. That said, if it ever comes out in hi-index, I want a pair for my Rudy Project glasses.

[icmor]

I saw a study that was done some years ago on VA at night time, and the addition of a tint. The bottom line is that a person with 20/20 vision has a decrease to 20/32 at night.
Adding just a 10% tint on a pair of lenses decreases the VA to 20/40. That is borderline legal to drive in most states. A pair of glasses without A/R coating loses 8% of light transmission. This is one reason A/R coating is recommended for night time driving. Your patients are at risk when wearing any of the yellow driving glasses. We refuse to sell them, and recommend A/R coat on their lenses.