This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Add article to my folders Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Mainster, M A Articles by Timberlake, G T Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Mainster, M A Articles by Timberlake, G T Topic Collections Relevant Article

Why HID headlights bother older drivers

Department of Ophthalmology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160-7379, USA

Correspondence to:
Martin A Mainster, PhD, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160-7379, USA;
mmainste{at}kumc.edu

Driving requires effective coordination of visual, motor, and cognitive skills. Visual skills are pushed to their limit at night by decreased illumination and by disabling glare from oncoming headlights. High intensity discharge (HID) headlamps project light farther down roads, improving their owner’s driving safety by increasing the time available for reaction to potential problems. Glare is proportional to headlamp brightness, however, so increasing headlamp brightness also increases potential glare for oncoming drivers, particularly on curving two lane roads. This problem is worse for older drivers because of their increased intraocular light scattering, glare sensitivity, and photostress recovery time. An analysis of automobile headlights, intraocular stray light, glare, and night driving shows that brightness rather than blueness is the primary reason for the visual problems that HID headlights can cause for older drivers who confront them. The increased light projected by HID headlights is potentially valuable, but serious questions remain regarding how and where it should be projected.

Keywords: headlights; light scattering; glare; photostress; ageing; driving

Relevant Article

BJO at a glance

Creig Hoyt
Br. J. Ophthalmol. 2003 87: 1. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M A Mainster Violet and blue light blocking intraocular lenses: photoprotection versus photoreception Br. J. Ophthalmol., June 1, 2006; 90(6): 784 - 792. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Franssen, J. E. Coppens, and T. J. T. P. van den Berg Compensation Comparison Method for Assessment of Retinal Straylight Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., February 1, 2006; 47(2): 768 - 776. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. E. Braunstein and J. R. Sparrow A Blue-Blocking Intraocular Lens Should Be Used in Cataract Surgery Arch Ophthalmol, April 1, 2005; 123(4): 547 - 549. [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. A. Mainster Intraocular Lenses Should Block UV Radiation and Violet but Not Blue Light Arch Ophthalmol, April 1, 2005; 123(4): 550 - 555. [Full Text] [PDF]

				L J van Rijn, C Nischler, D Gamer, L Franssen, G de Wit, R Kaper, D Vonhoff, G Grabner, H Wilhelm, H J Volker-Dieben, et al. Measurement of stray light and glare: comparison of Nyktotest, Mesotest, stray light meter, and computer implemented stray light meter Br. J. Ophthalmol., March 1, 2005; 89(3): 345 - 351. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M A Mainster and J R Sparrow How much blue light should an IOL transmit? Br. J. Ophthalmol., December 1, 2003; 87(12): 1523 - 1529. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]