The Brightness Paradox: Why Your Car’s Headlights Are Putting Vision at Risk

I know the M62 like the back of my hand.

I spend a lot of time on that road, traveling between our practices, often late at night after a long day of serving our community. We all know what that drive is like that stretch across the Pennines when the rain is lashing down, the lane markings are barely visible, and the cat’s eyes are the only thing guiding you home.

Recently, I had a moment that stopped me in my tracks. I was driving home, feeling calm, when a modern SUV crested the hill in the opposite lane. Its LED headlights hit my windscreen and, for a split second, the world just… vanished.

It was a wall of white light. A total “whiteout.”

I consider myself a confident driver. My vision is clinically optimised. Yet, in that moment, I felt my hands grip the steering wheel tighter. My heart rate spiked. And I thought to myself: If I am feeling this anxiety, as an eye care professional, how are my patients feeling?

For years, my patients have been telling me the same thing: “Sohail, I don’t like driving at night anymore. The lights are just too bright.”

As someone with a pivotal role in local eyecare, I am heartened to see that the UK government is finally listening. On 7 January 2026, the government officially announced a new phase of research into vehicle headlight glare.

This isn’t just a matter of convenience; it is a matter of Ihsan—excellence in safety and care for our community.

The Problem with “Better” Technology

We live in an era of incredible innovation. LED and Xenon headlights have transformed how far a driver can see. But there is a paradox at play: while the driver behind the wheel has more clarity than ever, the driver coming the other way is being momentarily blinded.

Modern headlights are smaller, more concentrated, and sit higher on the chassis. When these lights hit an eye that is adjusted to the dark, it triggers “disability glare.” It’s not just annoying; it physically compromises your ability to see the road ahead.

The Solution is in the Science (And the Coating)

While we wait for the government to change car designs, we have to protect ourselves. At ABRA & Co., we tackle this using advanced lens technology.

It starts with the absolute essential: The MAR Coating.

You might have heard us talk about “Multi-Anti-Reflective” (MAR) coatings. To us, this isn’t an optional extra; it is a fundamental requirement for safe driving.

Think of a standard spectacle lens like a window pane at night. If you look at it, you see reflections of the room behind you, and lights look smeared. An MAR coating works by allowing 99.9% of light to pass through the lens rather than bouncing off it.

Without an MAR coating, every headlight you see creates a “ghost image” or a halo. With an MAR, that light is tamed. This is why, at ABRA & Co., we include MAR coatings as default on our bespoke lenses. We wouldn’t wear glasses without them, so why would we expect you to?

Going Further: Specialist Driving Tech

For those who spend a lot of time on the M62 like me, or who struggle significantly with LED glare, we go a step further.

We work with leaders in optical technology like Hoya to offer dedicated solutions:

• Hoya EnRoute:These lenses effectively contain a “glare filter.” They are specifically designed to cut out the high-energy blue light spike found in modern LED headlights, softening the dazzle without making the road too dark.
• Yellow/High-Contrast Filters:For specific conditions, we can utilize yellow-tinted filters which heighten contrast, helping you pick out kerbs and road markings even in misty or rainy conditions.

Our Commitment to Your Safety

Vision is a gift, but on today’s roads, it is also a responsibility.

I welcome this government research not just as a CEO, but as a father and a driver. But we don’t need to wait for the law to catch up to technology. We have the tools to help you see clearly right now.

If you have stopped driving at night because of the glare, please come and talk to us. Let’s look at your prescription, let’s talk about coatings, and let’s get you back on the road with confidence.

The future of road safety is not just about seeing further; it’s about seeing together.