Opticians' advice - driving lenses

[Salted_Peanut]

Talk to me about lenses for driving.

What are Zeiss DriveSafe and Hoya EnRoute Pro lenses like? Worth it?

[chrisch77]

I have high astigmatism and have worn specs for 30+ years, but really noticed issues with night time glare when driving since I hit my 40s. I recently got Zeiss Drivesafe lenses in my new specs just before lockdown, and noticed a big reduction in glare with these even with limited darkness driving over the last 4 months.

[HelenT]

Salted_Peanut said:

Talk to me about lenses for driving.

What are Zeiss DriveSafe and Hoya EnRoute Pro lenses like? Worth it?

As a practice we do a lot more Hoya than Zeiss found a pretty mixed reaction to EnRoute, we have a simple demonstration set from Hoya (basically a set of non prescription EnRoute in a holder) which we lend people to go out hold over there existing spectacles and see if they notice a difference before purchasing. As a driving lens Norville Drivewear is also worth considering https://www.norville.co.uk/acatalog/Drivewear.html

[Salted_Peanut]

Thanks Helen

I've had a proper look at them (or rather, through them) and borrowed some from my optician. The regular EnRoute made little difference to me, but the EnRoute Pro was excellent. I think the Pro might be the best for driving?

However, Zeiss' DriveSafe was also excellent. It didn't increase contrast like the EnRoute Pro, but certainly makes a significant difference in the dark. I think the DriveSafe and EnRoute Pro are both valuable at night, but the Pro is advantageous in the day too.

I also spotted that Esilor is on the same bandwagon with its Road Pilot lenses. But I haven't seen them yet.

It's tricky to work out what's best!

[gweaver]

Does anyone have any more feedback on driving lenses?

I've found glare to be an issue since starting to wear specs in my mid twenties. Reflective road signs and bright lights are an issue, but otherwise my night vision is good. I keep both spectacles and windscreen clean, so I think I need to spend more money on glare reducing coatings. Prescription is single vision with (mild) compound myopic astigmatism (mostly astigmatism).

I'm considering Hoya Enroute / Enroute Pro, but also Zeiss Drivesafe and Optik Mizen Autobahn (suggested by optician), so it'd be good to hear how people have got on with those.

[Salted_Peanut]

gweaver said:

I'm considering Hoya Enroute / Enroute Pro, but also Zeiss Drivesafe and Optik Mizen Autobahn (suggested by optician), so it'd be good to hear how people have got on with those.

I plumped for Zeiss DriveSafe and found them brilliant. Highly recommended – while they haven’t eliminated all dazzle from oncoming LED headlights, my DriveSafe lenses certainly help far more than any other anti-glare lenses I have had.

However, has anyone experience with the other lenses (Hoya EnRoute, EnRoute Pro, etc.) recommended in this thread?