Driving places significant demands on our visual system. Drivers must constantly shift focus between near, intermediate, and distant objects – from the dashboard displays to the road ahead and surroundings. They also contend with changing light conditions, glare from oncoming headlights and reflections, and the need to maintain concentration over long periods.

Consumer research by Shamir1 has revealed some concerning statistics about drivers’ visual experiences:

• One in five drivers suffer from visual fatigue,

• Over 70% experience problems with glare,

• One in three have difficulty adjusting gaze direction,

• 19% report limited far field of view,

• 62% experience high levels of fatigue, especially during night driving, and

• 48% avoid driving at night due to visual discomfort.

These issues point to a clear need for specialised eyewear solutions that can address the multiple visual challenges drivers face.

THE IMPACT OF MODERN VEHICLE DESIGN

The visual environment inside vehicles has become increasingly complex. Modern cars feature multiple illuminated digital displays in the console and dashboard. Drivers must frequently shift focus between these devices, side mirrors, traffic signs, and the road ahead. This creates a high ‘cognitive load’ – the brain must process a large amount of visual information quickly to make decisions.

Additionally, the proliferation of LED headlights and road signage with retroreflective sheeting has introduced new sources of glare and visual interference. Managing light effectively is crucial for maintaining visual quality and reducing visual noise that can lead to distraction and fatigue.

INNOVATIONS IN DRIVER-SPECIFIC LENS DESIGN

Leading lens manufacturers are leveraging cutting-edge research and technology to develop eyewear solutions tailored specifically for drivers. One such innovation is Shamir’s Driver Intelligence system, launched mid2024, which uses artificial intelligence and big data to optimise lens design for driving tasks.

At the launch of Shamir’s new dual lens Driver Intelligence system, Commercial Manager Russ Pillay explained that the complex development process involved collecting 14 million data points, analysing 80 different vehicle types, examining 200 distinct driving scenarios, and measuring eye movements of professional racers and everyday drivers.

This extensive research allowed Shamir’s designers to create lenses that account for the full range of visual tasks and challenges drivers encounter, including the need for different gaze positions, as well as visual acuity at various distances.

EssilorLuxottica’s Varilux XR series lens has also been designed with the need for multidirectional eye movement in mind.

ZEISS is another company producing optical and sun lenses to optimise visual performance and provide increased road awareness by allowing for better perception of surroundings and potential hazards. Its DriveSafe lenses are designed for comfortable vision behind the wheel, especially when driving at night and in difficult light conditions. ZEISS’ special DuraVision DriveSafe lens coating “reflects much of the wavelengths that really bother our eyes” and has the added benefit of making the lenses more scratch-resistant, durable, and easy to clean.

KEY BENEFITS OF DRIVER-SPECIFIC LENSES

One of the key advantages of driver-specific lenses is the improvement in physical comfort they offer. By reducing eye strain and fatigue, drivers can experience greater overall comfort during long journeys. This enhanced visual performance also leads to increased confidence behind the wheel, as clear, sharp vision in all conditions helps drivers feel more secure and in control of their vehicle.

Driver-focussed lenses may also contribute to faster reaction times on the road. By optimising visual performance, they potentially help drivers respond more quickly to unexpected events or sudden changes in traffic conditions.

For those requiring multifocal lenses, designs specifically optimised for driving tasks allow for more natural transitions between viewing distances, ensuring smooth visual adaptation across all required focal points.

Additionally, many of these advanced lenses feature specialised designs and coatings that significantly improve visual acuity and comfort in low-light conditions, enhancing night driving capabilities.

Glare sensitivity is another crucial factor addressed by driver-specific lenses. Advanced coatings and filters help manage glare from various sources, including headlights, reflections, and bright sunlight.

Sunglasses with a gradient lens are a popular choice; the darker tint on the top of the frame shades eyes from sunlight, fading to a lighter tint that allows your patient to read the dashboard easily. Light-reactive lenses, like SunSync Drive XT are activated behind the windscreen with fast reaction times to give wearers excellent visual clarity whether driving in bright light, overcast or night conditions. Similarly, AM Eyewear fits its driving eyewear with Cox photochromics with an amber tint to enhance contrast and clarity, while automatically darkening in bright sunlight.

Polarised lenses are also an option for drivers as they cut glare that bounces off reflective surfaces like the road, other cars, water and more. Interestingly, Transitions Drivewear is the world’s only polarised lens with both lens colour and light adaptation technology.

FRAME SELECTION

Alongside lens selection, frame design has an important role to play in driver eyewear. When recommending eyewear for drivers, optometrists and optical dispensers should prioritise frame designs that enhance safety and comfort behind the wheel. Thin frames with narrow temples are an excellent choice, as they significantly reduce blind spots and minimise peripheral vision obstruction.

Wraparound styles offer superior coverage and effectively reduce side glare, making them ideal for varying light conditions encountered during driving. For those seeking minimal visual interference, rimless or semi-rimless designs provide an unobstructed field of view, crucial for maintaining awareness of one’s surroundings on the road.

Frame shape also plays a vital role in driver safety. Rectangular or square frames typically facilitate lenses with a wider field of vision compared to their round counterparts, allowing drivers to maintain better situational awareness. To ensure glasses remain secure and comfortable during long drives or sudden movements, frames equipped with spring hinges are highly recommended. These hinges not only provide a better fit but also enhance durability, reducing the likelihood of distraction caused by ill-fitting eyewear.

DRIVING COMFORT

The continued improvement in driverspecific eyewear technology represents a significant advancement in the field of optometry. For optometrists and optical dispensers, these innovations offer new opportunities to optimise their patients’ vision for one of their most important daily activities. By understanding and recommending advanced frame and lens solutions, eye care professionals can also play a crucial role in enhancing road safety and driving comfort for their patients.

Take a look at the options in the following pages.

Reference
1. Research reported at the launch of Shamir Driver Intelligence lenses in Sydney, August 2024.