Seeing Halos Around Lights? What They Can Mean for Your Eyes
Have you ever looked at a streetlight, headlight, or other bright light and noticed a glowing ring around it?
These rings, commonly called halos, can sometimes occur because of relatively minor vision or eye-surface issues. But new or worsening halos can also be a symptom of an eye condition that deserves attention.
At Blake Bush Family Eye Care in Ardmore, Oklahoma, we encourage patients to pay attention to changes in how they see—especially when those changes appear suddenly or occur along with other symptoms.
Summary
Halos around lights can have several possible causes, including refractive errors, dry or irritated eyes, cataracts, and other changes affecting the eye.
Occasional halos aren't always a cause for concern. However, sudden halos accompanied by significant eye pain, redness, blurred vision, headache, nausea, or vomiting can be a sign of an eye emergency and require immediate medical attention.
Key Highlights
In this article, we'll explain:
- What halos around lights look like
- Why halos can occur
- Common eye conditions associated with halos
- Why halos may be more noticeable at night
- When halos require prompt eye care
What Are Halos Around Lights?
Halos usually appear as bright circles or glowing rings surrounding a light source.
You might notice them around:
- Streetlights
- Oncoming headlights
- Traffic signals
- Lamps
- Other bright lights in a dark environment
They often become more noticeable at night because your pupils are larger in low-light conditions.
What Can Cause Halos Around Lights?
There isn't one single explanation. Halos can occur when light entering the eye doesn't focus or pass through the eye as clearly as it normally would.
Your Vision Prescription
Nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or an outdated prescription may affect how lights appear, particularly at night.
If halos improve when you're wearing an updated prescription, the issue may primarily involve how your eyes are focusing light.
Dry or Irritated Eyes
A healthy tear film creates a smooth optical surface over the front of your eye.
When that tear film becomes unstable, light can scatter differently as it enters the eye. Some patients with dry or irritated eyes notice glare, fluctuating vision, or other visual disturbances.
Cataracts
A cataract occurs when the normally clear natural lens inside the eye becomes cloudy.
As cataracts develop, light may scatter rather than pass cleanly through the lens. This can contribute to glare, halos, reduced contrast, and difficulty seeing at night.
Other Eye Conditions
Halos can also occur with other problems involving the cornea or structures inside the eye. That's why persistent or unexplained halos shouldn't automatically be attributed to aging or needing new glasses.
Why Are Halos Often Worse at Night?
Your pupils naturally become larger in darker environments so more light can enter your eyes.
That can make certain optical imperfections more noticeable. Bright headlights against a dark road provide an especially high-contrast situation, which is why some people first become aware of halos while driving at night.
If night driving has become noticeably more difficult, mention it during your next eye examination.
When Are Halos Around Lights an Emergency?
Most halos don't indicate an emergency, but there is an important exception.
A rapid increase in pressure inside the eye can occur with acute angle-closure glaucoma. Symptoms can include sudden blurry vision, severe eye pain, headache, nausea or vomiting, and rainbow-colored halos around lights.
This is an eye emergency that can threaten vision if it isn't treated promptly.
If halos appear suddenly along with severe eye pain, significant redness, headache, nausea, vomiting, or a sudden change in vision, seek immediate medical attention.
Should You Have Halos Checked Even If They Aren't an Emergency?
If halos are new, becoming more noticeable, affecting your ability to drive, or occurring with other changes in your vision, it's a good idea to schedule an eye examination.
An eye doctor can evaluate your prescription as well as the health of your cornea, lens, retina, optic nerve, and other structures to help determine why your vision has changed.
Changes in Vision Are Worth Investigating
It's easy to dismiss halos as simply part of getting older or driving at night.
Sometimes the explanation is relatively straightforward. Other times, halos can provide an early clue that something about your eyes has changed.
At Blake Bush Family Eye Care, we use comprehensive examinations and modern diagnostic technology to evaluate both how well you see and the health of your eyes.
If you're seeing new or worsening halos around lights, schedule an eye exam with Blake Bush Family Eye Care in Ardmore, Oklahoma.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal to see halos around lights at night?
Some people notice halos more readily at night, and they don't always indicate a serious problem. However, new, worsening, or persistent halos should be discussed with your eye doctor.
Can astigmatism cause halos?
Refractive errors such as astigmatism can affect the way light focuses in the eye and may contribute to glare or halos, particularly at night.
Can dry eye cause halos?
An unstable tear film can affect the eye's optical surface and contribute to fluctuating or distorted vision, including glare around lights.
Do cataracts cause halos?
Cataracts can scatter light as it passes through the eye's natural lens, which can contribute to glare and halos.
When should I worry about halos?
Seek immediate medical attention if halos appear suddenly along with severe eye pain, significant redness, headache, nausea, vomiting, or sudden blurred vision.
Can an eye exam determine what's causing my halos?
A comprehensive examination can help your eye doctor evaluate potential causes, including your prescription and conditions affecting the cornea, lens, and other structures of the eye.
About the Author
Blake Bush Family Eye Care is a leading provider of optometric services in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Our mission is to help every patient enjoy healthy, clear vision for life through advanced technology, personalized care, and genuine compassion. We provide comprehensive eye exams for all ages — starting at six months — and specialize in dry eye treatment, scleral lens fittings, and ocular disease management.
Serving Ardmore and surrounding communities, we’re committed to early detection, prevention, and customized solutions for every patient’s unique vision needs. Learn more at www.blakebushfamilyeyecare.com
