Age-based effects of yellow lenses on discomfort glare from white LED headlights

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of yellow glasses in reducing discomfort glare caused by white light-emitting diode headlights during night-time driving. The 30 visually normal participants were categorized into two age groups: 15 younger adults (mean age = 21.0 ± 1.6 years) and 15 older adults (mean age = 71.0 ± 1.6 years). Participants, simulating a driving position, assessed discomfort glare from glare sources (high- and low-beam headlights of oncoming vehicles) located 40 m away using the de Boer scale. Yellow glasses meeting night driving standards were found to have no significant impact on discomfort glare compared to neutral density filters with identical luminous transmittance, across all age groups. These findings imply that the ability of yellow glasses to partially block blue light, prevalent in white light-emitting diode headlights, does not alleviate discomfort glare. In conclusion, yellow glasses with a luminous transmittance of 75% or higher, meeting night driving standards, do not reduce discomfort glare caused by white LED headlights, regardless of the age group of the driver.