If you’re a driver of a certain age, there is a good chance you’ve been “blinded by the light” at night, especially in recent years.

The phenomenon has nothing to do with Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, which recorded the 1976 hit song of the same name. But over the last 20 years or so, more and more automobile manufacturers have gone to LED headlights, which are noticeably brighter than the headlights on your parents’ old Buick Regal.

Combine those blinding lights on other vehicles with the fading eyesight of some drivers as they age, and it’s a recipe for disaster.

But what to do? LED headlights are legal in all 50 states.

There are some instances, however, in which drivers can end up with a ticket if their LED headlights do not meet guidelines. If LED bulbs are improperly installed in moorings for halogen bulbs, a reflector design can scatter LED light and create a dangerous glare for oncoming drivers.

Also, a color temperature of greater than 6,000k can make LED lights appear blue instead of white. Blue-tinted lights are illegal on the road, but we’ve all seen cars operating with them.

Finally, some LED headlights are not approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation. If you plan to switch out your vehicle’s bulbs, make sure you purchase DOT-approved models.

But what if the headlights from other vehicles aren’t really your problem? A recent survey conducted by Lenspricer.com — a price-comparison website for contact lenses — shows that some drivers admit to getting behind the wheel even when they know their vision isn’t good.

The study involved 3,017 drivers to find out how many knowingly avoid eye tests or corrective lenses. The results were, well, eye opening to say the least.

Almost half of drivers polled (49%) admit they need glasses or lenses, but have not had a recent checkup. The numbers suggest that more than 75 million drivers on America’s roads aren’t seeing clearly enough to drive safely.

In Ohio, 45% of drivers say they need glasses but have not had their eyes checked recently. That’s 2,450,441 Ohio motorists you may want to watch for, because they might not see you clearly.

It’s far worse in some other places. The five worst states — by percentage — for drivers with trouble seeing are:

1. Arkansas (64%) 939,546 drivers

2. Missouri (60%) 1,667,393 drivers

3. Rhode Island (60%) 292,714 drivers

4. California (59%) 10,527,362 drivers

5. Nevada (59%) 853,343 drivers

So before you blame the other drivers’ headlights, make sure your vision isn’t the real problem. A visit to an optometrist might just prevent a tragedy on the road. After all, driving is challenging enough anyway, with the potential for reckless, tired, drunken or otherwise impaired motorists or bad weather around the next curve.