Latest News

RAC calls for Government to tackle Headlight Glare

January 2024, the Road Safety Association (RAC), called on the government to commission an independent study into headlight glare.

The RAC has been studying headlight glare since 2018 and have just completed their most recent survey of 2000 drivers. 89% thought some car lights were too bright, with 85% believing the glare from headlights were getting worse. 67% said they had to slow down considerably until they were able to see clearly again.  The RAC reported that drivers were more concerned about glare affecting their vision while driving than ever before.

According to the RAC, some vehicle headlights are too bright and give off too much glare for oncoming drivers. The RAC also found that almost 7% of respondents say they find headlight glare so bad that they avoid driving at night, and 14% of drivers aged 65 and over say the same. 

Glare is an aspect of headlight pollution. When a vehicle headlight emits photons directly into the eye, the photons bounce around within the retina, causing disabling glare. 

The RAC will be meeting the Government later this month to discuss its latest report Vehicle Headlight Glare

If you are dazzled by oncoming headlights while you drive at night, speak to us about adding an anti-reflective coating to your lenses or AR coated contact lenses, they can help.

HMD Opticians – Carbon Offsetting

Carbon-offsetting is one element of our greener strategy, where we are planting trees with Make it Wild. The trees absorb carbon, produce oxygen and supports insects, birds and small animals – and will do do for decades to come.

We undertake this activity throughout the year to compliment the other changes we are making in our processes and products, which all contribute to reducing emissions and decreasing our overall carbon footprint.

• • • • • • June 2023 – planted 10 trees, One Tree Planted
          • Jan 2024 – Offset 10 tonnes of CO2 by planting 3 trees, Make it Wild

Going Greener

We end 2023, with a Platinum award (71%) for Going Greener from the Association of British Dispensing Opticians.  We will continue our efforts in 2024 to run a sustainable Opticians, that delivers world class eye care to our local community.

Sustainability is a journey for us all. Changes, big and small all add to our contribution to the long-term future of our planet and the sustainable contribution of the the optical industry.

What you can do to help you see more clearly at night.

Having trouble to see clearly at night while driving is more common than you think. You will find nearly half of all drivers struggle to see at night for many reasons. Accidents are reportedly greater at night than during the day too.

Headlights, high beams and fog lights are designed to help drivers see more clearly at night, but can cause adverse affects to oncoming drivers. Glare can be distracting, irritating and can reduce driving reaction time.

So, what can you do to help?

If you wear glasses, one of the best ways to improve your vision at night is to add a lens coating, such as anti-glare or anti-reflective (AR coating). This lens enhancement can reduce glare given off these oncoming headlights, street sign reflections and any other glare from other lights.

Anti-reflective coatings can improve you night time driving, with more clear and comfortable vision.

Book an appointment and speak to us about adding a simple lens solution to your lenses.

Please be aware, as of Monday 9th October, HMD Opticians Turriff will have new operating hours:

Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.