VALENTINA STAVROU, MD VISION CARE • FACIAL AESTHETICS • DRY EYE OPHTHALMOLOGIST  |  ΧΕΙΡΟΥΡΓΟΣ ΟΦΘΑΛΜΙΑΤΡΟΣ

VISION CARE IN PAPHOS

Glare & Night Driving Problems

Glare, halos, and difficulty driving at night often develop gradually. Assessment looks at cataract, tear-film quality, corneal and lens clarity, retinal health, and other factors that affect contrast and visual quality.

Visual quality

Understanding glare rather than assuming cataract

Cataract is a common cause of glare, but tear-film instability, refractive change, corneal findings, and retinal health can also influence night driving and contrast.

Why glare occurs

Glare occurs when light entering the eye is scattered rather than focused clearly on the retina. This scattering can make lights appear excessively bright or surrounded by halos.

Patients may notice glare from:

  • oncoming headlights
  • street lights
  • bright sunlight
  • reflective surfaces

Night driving difficulties

Driving at night requires clear vision and good contrast sensitivity. When glare becomes excessive, patients may notice:

  • halos around headlights
  • starburst patterns around lights
  • difficulty seeing road markings
  • reduced contrast in low light

These changes may develop gradually over time.

Cataracts and glare

Cataracts are one of the most common causes of glare and night driving difficulty. As the lens becomes cloudy, light scatters more inside the eye.

Patients may notice:

  • increasing glare from headlights
  • halos around lights
  • reduced clarity at night

Learn more about cataracts

When to seek evaluation

Glare symptoms should be evaluated if they:

  • worsen over time
  • interfere with night driving
  • occur together with blurred vision
  • make everyday activities more difficult

An examination helps determine whether cataracts or other conditions are responsible.

Eye examination for glare symptoms

Evaluation may include:

  • visual acuity testing
  • slit-lamp examination of the lens
  • intraocular pressure measurement
  • retinal examination

These assessments allow the underlying cause of glare symptoms to be identified.

Comprehensive eye care in Paphos

A comprehensive ophthalmology examination helps determine the cause of visual symptoms and ensures that appropriate care is provided.

Learn more about eye examinations