Struggling to drive in the dark? What the clocks going back means for your eyes

The clocks go back on Sunday 25 October, and for most of us that means driving home in the dark. If you've noticed headlights feel more dazzling, road signs are harder to read, or you're less confident on unlit roads, you're not imagining it — and it's often easy to fix.

Why night driving gets harder

• Your prescription may have changed. A small change that you don't notice in daylight can make a big difference at night, when your pupils open wider.
• Glare from headlights. Modern LED headlights are brighter than ever. Reflections on your glasses make the dazzle worse.
• Age. From our 40s onwards, the eye lets in less light and takes longer to recover from glare.
• Eye health. Early cataracts and some other conditions often show up first as trouble with night vision.

What helps

1. Have an eye test. It's the simplest first step. If you're 60 or over, have diabetes, or receive certain benefits, your NHS eye test is free. Check if you qualify.

2. Choose anti-glare lenses. Anti-glare cuts reflections on your lenses so less light scatters into your eyes. It's included as standard on our £99 and £149 glasses, and available as a £40 add-on on our £59 pairs.

3. Consider a dedicated driving pair. With second pair half price on all private glasses, a pair kept in the car is more affordable than you'd think.

4. Keep your windscreen and glasses clean. Smears and scratches turn every headlight into a starburst.

When to get checked sooner

If your night vision has changed quickly, you're seeing halos around lights, or one eye seems worse than the other, don't wait for your next routine test — book in and let us take a look.

Book your eye test

Direct Vision Opticians has practices in Great Barr (122 Hillingford Avenue, B43 7JU) and Sheldon (inside Pan Pharmacy, Church Road, B26 3YH). Same-week appointments available.

Book an eye test online or call Great Barr on 0121 325 0665 or Sheldon on 0121 742 9599.