Halos

• Halos refer to rings or circles of light that surround bright light sources, such as street lamps, headlights, or oncoming vehicles, especially at night. This visual phenomenon is often seen when the eye’s ability to focus light is compromised, causing the light to scatter. Halos can appear in different colors, usually white or blue, and are often associated with other visual disturbances like glare or starbursts. While halos can be a normal visual experience after exposure to bright lights, they are more noticeable in low-light conditions and can be a symptom of an underlying eye condition.
• Causes: Halos can be caused by a variety of factors, including refractive errors (such as astigmatism), cataracts (clouding of the eye's natural lens), or corneal swelling. Halos are also common after refractive surgery, such as LASIK or PRK, due to changes in the cornea. In some cases, halos may indicate early signs of glaucoma, especially angle-closure glaucoma, where increased eye pressure can lead to optic nerve damage.
• Symptoms: People experiencing halos see bright, circular rings or coronas around lights. These rings are especially prominent at night or in low-light environments. Halos may be accompanied by glare, difficulty seeing at night, or double vision in severe cases.
• Treatment: Treating halos depends on the underlying cause. For cataracts, surgery to replace the cloudy lens can significantly reduce halos. For refractive errors, prescription glasses, contact lenses, or additional refractive surgery may help. In cases where halos are caused by corneal issues, lubricating eye drops or other treatments may be recommended to reduce symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma are crucial to prevent further vision loss.

Halos are bright circles or rings that appear to surround light sources, especially in dim lighting or at night. This visual effect can occur when light is scattered or diffracted in the eye. People often notice halos while driving at night, seeing them around headlights or streetlamps. Halos are not a condition in themselves but rather a symptom that may indicate underlying eye issues or post-surgical effects.

• Cataracts: Clouding of the eye’s natural lens can cause light to scatter, creating halo effects around lights.
• Glaucoma: Increased eye pressure may lead to halos, often accompanied by other vision changes.
• Dry Eyes: Insufficient tear production can blur vision and cause halos around lights.
• Corneal Edema: Swelling of the cornea scatters light, resulting in halos.
• Refractive Surgery Side Effects: Procedures like LASIK can temporarily cause halos during healing.
• Certain Medications: Some drugs affect vision and may induce halos as a side effect.

Refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism can lead to halos. These conditions affect how light is focused on the retina, often causing scattered light that produces halo effects. People with uncorrected or improperly corrected vision may notice halos more frequently. Proper use of glasses or contact lenses typically helps in reducing this symptom.

It’s common to experience halos around lights after refractive surgeries like LASIK or PRK. These visual disturbances usually occur during the healing period and are more noticeable at night. Most patients see a reduction in halos as the eyes recover, typically within weeks or a few months. However, for some, halos may persist longer and require follow-up care or vision correction enhancements.

• Bright rings around lights, especially at night.

• May include glare, blurred vision, or light sensitivity.

• Difficulty driving in the dark or under bright lights.

• Reduced night vision can affect daily functioning.

• Eye pain or sudden vision loss with halos needs urgent care.

An eye care professional will perform a comprehensive eye exam to diagnose halos. This may include visual acuity tests, pupil dilation, slit-lamp examination, and retinal imaging. The goal is to determine the underlying cause, whether it’s a refractive error, cataract, or post-surgical effect. Based on the findings, your optometrist or ophthalmologist will recommend the appropriate treatment plan.

Treatment depends on the cause of the halos. If due to refractive errors, updating your prescription or switching to specially coated lenses may help. Cataract surgery is often recommended when clouded lenses cause halos. For halos following LASIK, eye drops or enhancement procedures may be advised. Managing dry eyes with lubricating drops or treating glaucoma can also reduce halo symptoms effectively.