{"id":1829,"date":"2026-10-20T08:52:32","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T08:52:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laseristanbulclinic.com\/eye-glossary\/halos-and-glare\/"},"modified":"2026-10-20T12:56:52","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T12:56:52","slug":"halos-and-glare","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/laseristanbulclinic.com\/en\/eye-glossary\/halos-and-glare\/","title":{"rendered":"Halos Around Lights: Causes of Halos and Glare, and When to Worry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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  1. Home<\/a><\/li>
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  4. Halos Around Lights: Causes of Halos and Glare, and When to Worry<\/span><\/li><\/ol><\/div>\t\t\t

    Halos Around Lights: Causes of Halos and Glare, and When to Worry<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Medically reviewed by {{surgeon}}<\/span><\/strong>, {{surgeon’s title and specialty}}<\/span>, on {{review date}}<\/span>. Last updated {{date}}<\/span>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

    \"Illustration<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n
    \n\t\t<\/svg>Definition<\/span>\n\t\t\t

    Halos around lights<\/strong> (noun; a visual symptom)<\/em>: halos are glowing rings or circles of light seen around bright sources such as street lamps, headlights and traffic lights, most often in the dark. Glare is the related dazzle or washed-out brightness from a strong light. Halos can be harmless, but they also come with cataracts, dry eye, corneal swelling or eye surgery and, if sudden and painful, may signal acute angle-closure glaucoma, an emergency.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

    What our surgeons say:<\/em> an eye examination finds the cause of most halos. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Sat\u0131c\u0131 and Op. Dr. Aysan Bayram (cataract and laser) and Do\u00e7. Dr. Muhammet Derda \u00d6zer (cornea) assess halos and glare, including after previous surgery.<\/p><\/div>\n\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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    Halos and glare: key facts<\/h2><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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    <\/svg>What you see<\/span><\/dt>
    Rings, glowing circles or rainbow-coloured circles around bright lights; glare as dazzle or a veil of brightness<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Related terms<\/span><\/dt>
    Starbursts (streaks radiating from a light), glare, ghosting, dysphotopsia, photic phenomena<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Most common causes<\/span><\/dt>
    Cataract, dry eye or an uneven tear film, corneal conditions, uncorrected refractive error, some multifocal lenses, and effects of laser or lens surgery<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Emergency cause<\/span><\/dt>
    Acute angle-closure glaucoma: halos plus severe eye pain, a red eye, blurred vision, headache and nausea<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Usually worse<\/span><\/dt>
    At night, in the dark and with oncoming headlights<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Diagnosed by<\/span><\/dt>
    Eye examination: slit-lamp, eye-pressure check, corneal scans, a look at the lens and retina<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Specialist<\/span><\/dt>
    Ophthalmologist; at Laser Istanbul Clinic, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Sat\u0131c\u0131, Op. Dr. Aysan Bayram or Do\u00e7. Dr. Muhammet Derda \u00d6zer depending on the cause<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n
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    \"Illustration<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t
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    What are halos and glare?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Halos and glare are two of the most common visual disturbances after dark. A halo is a ring of light around a bright point; glare is the discomfort or loss of clarity caused by a strong light source. They often occur together with starbursts<\/strong>, where streaks of light radiate from a lamp.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Doctors group these effects as dysphotopsia<\/strong>: unwanted optical patterns on the retina. For artificial lenses, the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeWiki describes positive<\/em> dysphotopsia as a bright artefact of light, seen as arcs, streaks, starbursts, rings or halos. Eye doctors usually diagnose it from your description of the symptom, because no single objective test exists for it.<\/p>\n

    Why night makes it worse: in dim light the pupil widens, so more of the cornea and lens takes part in focusing. Any cloudiness, irregularity or dryness then shows up as a ring or glow, and bright lights against a dark background make the effect obvious.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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    Is it normal to see halos around lights?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t

    A faint, steady glow around very bright lights in the dark can be unremarkable, but a new, changing, one-sided or sudden halo is not something to put up with and should be checked.<\/strong> Only an eye examination can tell the two apart. This is the practical difference when you compare halos around lights with normal vision:<\/p>\n\t\t\t

    <\/th>More likely harmless<\/th>Needs an eye examination<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    Onset<\/th>Always been there, unchanged for years<\/td>New, getting worse, or changing<\/td><\/tr>
    Eyes<\/th>Both eyes, similar<\/td>One eye only, or very uneven<\/td><\/tr>
    When<\/th>Only against very bright lights in the dark<\/td>In ordinary lighting, or when reading and using screens<\/td><\/tr>
    Other symptoms<\/th>None<\/td>Blurred vision, haziness, faded colours, light sensitivity, discomfort<\/td><\/tr>
    Eye pain, redness, nausea<\/th>None<\/td>Any of these with halos: same-day care<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

    Is it normal to see halos around lights at night?<\/h3>\n

    Some glow around headlights and street lamps at night is common and often mild. It becomes a problem when it makes driving unsafe, keeps getting worse, or comes with other symptoms. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) advises people with cataracts to limit night driving once night vision, halos or glare become problems, and to have their eyes checked.<\/p><\/div>\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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    Halos around lights: causes<\/h2>\n\t\t\t

    The eye problems behind halos and glare fall into a handful of groups. Here are the common ones.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

    Cause<\/th>Why it produces halos or glare<\/th>Other clues<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    Cataract<\/strong><\/th>The natural lens clouds and scatters light. The NHS lists seeing glowing rings (halos) around lights among cataract symptoms; the AAO adds extra sensitivity to light, especially from oncoming headlights<\/td>Blurred, misty or ghosted vision, faded colours, trouble at night<\/td><\/tr>
    Dry eye and uneven tear film<\/strong><\/th>Tears keep the eye’s surface smooth and clear (AAO); when that film is disturbed, vision blurs<\/td>Gritty, burning or tired eyes, blur, especially when reading<\/td><\/tr>
    Corneal swelling or disease<\/strong><\/th>Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy makes the cornea swell, causing glare, halos and reduced vision (EyeWiki); early keratoconus brings sensitivity to light and glare (AAO)<\/td>Haze or blur on waking that improves later, distorted vision, a changing glasses prescription<\/td><\/tr>
    Corneal surface damage<\/strong><\/th>A scratch or erosion leaves blurred, hazy vision and light sensitivity (AAO)<\/td>Pain, watering, a feeling of something in the eye<\/td><\/tr>
    Uncorrected refractive error<\/strong><\/th>Clinicians correct any refractive error first when assessing halos and other lens-related disturbances (EyeWiki)<\/td>Eye strain, headaches, squinting<\/td><\/tr>
    Multifocal or EDOF lens implants<\/strong><\/th>Lenses that split light to give near and far focus can cause glare and rings (AAO)<\/td>Started after lens surgery<\/td><\/tr>
    After laser vision correction<\/strong><\/th>The AAO lists glare and halos among LASIK side effects<\/td>Started after surgery; see below<\/td><\/tr>
    Acute angle-closure glaucoma<\/strong><\/th>A sudden rise in eye pressure, with a swollen cornea, gives rainbow halos (AAO, StatPearls)<\/td>Severe pain, red eye, nausea, headache: emergency<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
    Pigment dispersion<\/strong><\/th>Some people see halos or blur after activities such as jogging or basketball (AAO)<\/td>Symptoms after exercise<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

    Other eye conditions, such as a coloboma (a gap in an eye structure present from birth), can cause light sensitivity. We cover that in the glossary entry linked under related terms below.<\/p><\/div>\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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    Rainbow halos around lights<\/h2><\/div><\/div>

    Rainbow-coloured circles around lights deserve more attention than plain white glow. Seeing coloured rings around bright lights is a recognised sign of an attack of acute angle-closure glaucoma<\/strong>, in which fluid cannot drain from the eye and pressure rises fast. The NHS lists “seeing rainbow-coloured circles around bright lights” alongside intense eye pain, a red eye, blurred vision, nausea and a headache, and says to call 999 or go to A&E if glaucoma symptoms develop suddenly.<\/p>\n

    StatPearls describes acute angle-closure as an emergency: when measured, pressure is typically 50 to 80 mmHg against a normal range of 10 to 21 mmHg, and without prompt treatment it risks irreversible damage and blindness. Treatment can be medical, laser or surgical. The AAO says early symptoms of an attack can be as mild as blurred vision, halos, a mild headache or mild eye pain, and that anyone with these symptoms should be checked by their ophthalmologist as soon as possible.<\/p><\/div>

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    Is seeing rainbow halos around lights normal?<\/h3>

    Not as a new symptom. Rainbow halos that appear suddenly, especially with pain, redness, headache or nausea, should be treated as an emergency until an eye doctor has examined you. A swollen cornea is one of the signs doctors find during an attack (StatPearls).<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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    Rainbow halos around lights at night<\/h3>

    Rainbow halos at night need the same urgency as those seen by day. If they come with eye pain, a red eye or sickness, do not drive yourself<\/strong>: the NHS advises asking someone to drive you, or calling 999.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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    Rainbow halos around lights with contacts<\/h3>

    With contact lenses, halos can come from the lens itself (worn, dirty, poorly fitting or a multifocal design) or from the cornea beneath it. Take the lenses out. If your vision clears, the lens or its fit is a likely cause and your optician should check it. If halos persist with the lenses out, or the eye is red or painful, see an eye doctor the same day: contact lens complications range from dryness to sight-threatening infection (Methods and Protocols<\/em>, 2026 review).<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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    Sudden halos in vision: why am I suddenly seeing halos?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Suddenly seeing halos around lights is a reason to get checked promptly, and an emergency when it comes with eye pain, redness, nausea or a headache.<\/strong> A sudden start points away from slow causes such as a developing cataract and towards a pressure rise, corneal swelling, infection or inflammation. The NHS gives the warning set for sudden glaucoma: intense eye pain, a red eye, tenderness around the eye, rainbow-coloured circles around lights, blurred vision, nausea and a headache.<\/p>\n

    Other conditions can look similar: the NHS notes that uveitis (inflammation inside the eye) and an eye injury can cause similar symptoms, and EyeWiki says doctors must rule out glaucoma, retinal and intracranial causes when symptoms overlap.<\/p>\n

    Seeing halos around lights in one eye<\/h3>\n

    Halos in one eye only suggest a problem in that eye rather than a general night-vision habit. Possible causes include a cataract that is more advanced in one eye, a corneal problem, a pressure rise, or an effect of surgery or a lens in one eye. Cover each eye in turn to see which one is responsible, then book an eye examination, or seek same-day care if there is pain or redness. Angle-closure attacks typically cause intense pain around one eye (StatPearls).<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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    Halos and glare after eye surgery<\/h2>\n\t\t\t

    Many readers arrive here after laser or lens surgery, so here is what the evidence shows.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

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    After laser eye surgery (LASIK, SMILE, PRK)<\/h3>

    The AAO lists glare and halos (rings), streaks or starbursts around lights among LASIK side effects that can be temporary or, rarely, permanent. Two recent studies show the range:<\/p>\n