One in Five People with Vision Conditions Drive Without Glasses

It is a known fact that drivers rely on their vision more than on any of their other 4 senses while driving. That's why eyeglass wearers should always keep their prescription glasses while at the wheel of a car, instead of wearing non-prescription sunglasses. According to a recent survey commissioned by Essilor of America, Inc., 20 percent of eyeglass wearers sometimes drive without their prescription glasses.

It's also a known fact that blinding glare from sun, snow and vehicles significantly contributes to fatal auto accidents. For that particular issue there's a simple solution in the form of polarized, prescription sunglasses. A clinical study conducted by Essilor found that driver reaction times improve by one third of a second for drivers who wear polarized lenses. One third of a second is enough to allow a driver to stop 23 feet sooner (about 7 meters or the average length of an intersection). Polarized lenses improve vision clarity by 75 percent, as opposed to ordinary sun lenses.

"Only one-third of eyeglass wearers have prescription sunglasses with polarized lenses," said Kim Schuy, Senior Global Director of Marketing, Essilor. "As our roadways heat up this winter and glare from the sun and snow increases, it's critical that consumers discuss with their eyecare professional the life-saving benefits of prescription, polarized lenses."

It is common among eyeglass wearers to have trouble seeing while driving on sunny and/or snowy days, but those who wear prescription sunglasses, especially with polarized lenses, experience less trouble. Over 60 percent of eyeglass wearers participating in the survey agreed that when driving during the day, glare from sun and snow makes it difficult to see while driving.