Change the way you drive by having your eyes tested
A few weeks ago I was asked if I wanted to have my eyes tested at Mellins i-Style, a leading national chain of optometrists. I was unsure as I have never had problems with my eye sight and so thought it would be a wasted exercise.
I was right about my eye sight, in fact, it was better than I thought it was which left me feeling rather confident. But what I was to learn was just how important it is to have your eyes tested and what you can do to improve your site while driving even if you have no vision problems.
Many accidents occur at night, and of course people have trouble seeing when it rains, at dusk or in fog and mist. According to an international study by the Vision Impact Institute, 59% of road accidents can be attributed to poor eyesight. Furthermore, 23% of drivers worldwide have untreated eye conditions and are a potential danger to themselves and other road users. According to the International Transport Forum’s 2013 Road Safety Annual Report, exceptionally high levels of road accidents cost the South African economy more than R300 billion a year, ranking our roads the worst out of the 36 countries polled. Good eyesight is therefore vital to any road travel.
Your road trip check list for your eyes
So off I went to Mellins i-Style in Canal Walk here in the Western Cape to have a Zeiss Experience eye test . During the Zeiss Experience, approximately 2 500 points on your eyes are mapped in less than 90 seconds to create a unique ‘fingerprint’ of the eye. The resulting lens, namely Zeiss i.Scription, offers up to 30% improvement in night vision, in low light and colour and contrast judgement – four times more accurate than any other lens available – according to Zeiss.
Like I mentioned, my eye sight was perfect and I didn’t require spectacles, so instead I was given a pair of sunglasses with Zeiss DriveSafe lenses to try out. The benefits of the wearer include:
- Better vision in low light conditions for safer and more comfortable driving
- Reduced glare at night from oncoming cars or street lights
- Accurate view of the road, dashboard, rear-view mirror and side mirrors
It took me some time to get used to the lenses but this is also due to the fact that I have never even owned or worn polarised lenses. But once my eyes had adjusted I can confidently say that the difference is quite profound. I was always a pretty confident driver, but not always when it is raining. I put my sunglasses on, even when it rains, and it keeps that glare off the road that comes straight after a downpour and I can drive without squinting! On a sunny day, even if I look directly in to the sun coming over a rise, I have no issues with my vision. It is rather confidence inspiring.
It really is worth getting your eyes tested and if a pair of glasses means you are a more confident and safer driver then I could not recommend it enough!
For more info on Zeiss DriveSafe technology and to locate your nearest Mellins i-Style store, click here.
Check me out sporting my new shades! Which I am in LOVE with!