Posted by: Clear Vision Cataract & LASIK Center

Bearded man in a leather jacket driving a car at night, looking thoughtfully out the window.

If you’ve ever noticed that your vision feels perfectly fine during the day — but suddenly becomes blurry, glary, or uncomfortable at night — you’re not imagining things.

At Clear Vision Center, one of the most common concerns we hear is:

“Why is my vision worse at night?”
“Why do headlights look so bright or starburst?”
“Why do I hate driving after dark now?”

Night vision problems are incredibly common, and in many cases, they’re an early sign that something in your eyes has changed. The good news? Most causes are treatable — and some are even correctable.

Let’s break down what’s really happening and when it’s time to get your eyes checked.

Why Night Vision Is More Challenging Than Daytime Vision

Seeing clearly at night requires your eyes to work harder. Low light means:

  • Your pupils dilate more
  • Light scatters more easily inside the eye
  • Small imperfections in your vision become more noticeable

If anything is slightly off — your prescription, tear film, cornea, or natural lens — nighttime is when you’ll feel it first.

Common Causes of Poor Night Vision

1. Uncorrected or Changing Prescription

Even a small prescription change can cause:

  • Blurry distance vision
  • Difficulty focusing
  • Headlight glare
  • Eye strain

This is especially noticeable at night because your eyes can’t rely on bright light to compensate.

If it’s been more than a year since your last eye exam, a simple update may make a huge difference.

2. Astigmatism (Even Mild Astigmatism)

Astigmatism causes light to scatter instead of focusing at one point. At night, this often shows up as:

  • Starbursts around lights
  • Halos
  • Double or shadowed images

Many patients don’t realize they have astigmatism until they start avoiding night driving.

3. Dry Eyes

Dry eye is one of the most overlooked causes of poor night vision.

When your tear film isn’t smooth, light entering the eye becomes distorted, leading to:

  • Blurry or fluctuating vision
  • Glare and halos
  • Burning or gritty sensation
  • Worse vision after long days on screens

Dry eye symptoms often worsen at night due to fatigue and reduced blinking.

4. Early Cataracts

Cataracts don’t always start as “cloudy vision.” Early on, they often cause:

  • Increased glare
  • Halos around lights
  • Difficulty driving at night
  • Reduced contrast in low light

If night driving has become stressful or uncomfortable, early cataracts may be the reason — even if your daytime vision seems okay.

5. Previous LASIK or Eye Surgery

Some patients experience temporary halos or glare after LASIK, especially during healing. However, persistent or worsening night vision symptoms years later should be evaluated.

Modern procedures and lens options can often improve night vision significantly.

6. Larger Pupils in Low Light

Some people naturally have larger pupils in dim lighting. When the pupil expands beyond the treated or corrected optical zone, it can cause:

  • Halos
  • Glare
  • Reduced sharpness

This is something we evaluate during a comprehensive eye exam.

When Should You See an Eye Doctor for Night Vision Problems?

You should schedule an evaluation if you experience:

✔ Difficulty driving at night
✔ Halos or starbursts around lights
✔ Glare from headlights
✔ Blurry or fluctuating vision after sunset
✔ Eye strain or fatigue in low light

Night vision changes are not something you should ignore — especially if they’re getting worse.

Can Vision Correction Help Night Vision?

Yes — in many cases, dramatically.

Depending on the cause, treatment options may include:

  • Updated glasses or contacts
  • Dry eye treatment
  • LASIK or PRK
  • EVO ICL (excellent for night vision)
  • Cataract surgery with advanced lens options

Many patients report better night vision after treatment than they ever had with glasses or contacts.

How Clear Vision Center Evaluates Night Vision Issues

At Clear Vision Center, we don’t just check your prescription. We look at:

  • Corneal shape and clarity
  • Tear film quality
  • Pupil size
  • Lens clarity
  • Retinal health

This allows us to identify the true cause — and recommend the safest, most effective solution for your eyes.

The Bottom Line

If your vision feels worse at night, your eyes are trying to tell you something. Whether it’s dryness, astigmatism, early cataracts, or a correctable refractive issue, getting answers now can restore clarity and confidence — especially behind the wheel.

Concerned About Your Night Vision?

We’re here to help you see clearly — day and night.

👉 Schedule an eye evaluation with Clear Vision Center.