MOTORISTS who see blurry or wavy beams on lights while driving are being warned about a eye condition as part of Road Safety Week.
During the week, which runs from November 19 to 26 Specsavers is revealing the signs and symptoms of astigmatism and is sharing tips on how to drive safely with the condition.
An astigmatism means the cornea (the front layer of your eye) or lens (the part of the eye responsible for focus) is shaped more like the pointed end of a rugby ball rather than a spherical football.
The result of this can cause blurred or unfocussed vision making everyday tasks difficult or even dangerous.
Specsavers say around 27 per cent of people in the UK are living with the condition.
Paul Cooper, store director at Specsavers Castle Vale and Chelmsley Wood, said: “Astigmatism can present a range of symptoms including headaches, regularly having to squint to see clearly, eye strain or tiredness when focusing on prolonged tasks.
“If you have astigmatism, or think you might, it is important to get an up-to-date eye test every two years and always wear your glasses or contacts when driving.”
In low-light conditions, blurry vision associated with astigmatism can become worse. That’s because when the lighting dims, your pupil dilates to let in more light.
The more light that is let in, the more light that is scattered. This scattered light causes unfocused vision, as well as halos around bright lights and even night blindness.
The DVLA has issued a warning that failure to meet the minimum eye standards could result in being charged with a £1,000 fine and three penalty points.
