Final answer:
Older adults face difficulties in night driving due to diminished night vision, decreased contrast sensitivity, and problems with glare and light pollution. Adjusting to changes in light and recovering from the glare of headlights become more challenging as photoreceptors age. Understanding and accepting these changes can improve adaptability.
Step-by-step explanation:
Visual changes that make night driving difficult for older adults include diminished night vision, decreased contrast sensitivity, and issues adjusting to changes in light levels. As individuals age, the photoreceptors in the eye, specifically the rods, which are responsible for vision in low light, may not transform light into nerve impulses as efficiently. This condition can lead to night blindness, where it is challenging to see in dimly lit environments. Furthermore, light pollution exacerbates the problem, making it harder to see and navigate during night driving.
Aging eyes may also struggle with glare from headlights on your car or from other vehicles, which becomes more intense with age. This glare can temporarily blind drivers and increase the chances of an accident. The presence of spilled light, or light pollution, not only concerns astronomers but can also reduce the visibility for drivers. The awareness of physical changes caused by aging and accepting them can help in adapting to these challenges.