Seeing glares, halos, or rings around lights—especially in low-light settings—can be unsettling and can interfere with day-to-day activities such as driving. These issues often feel more pronounced in the winter, when shorter days mean more frequent driving at dusk or nighttime, which are prime conditions for glare. Although experiencing halos or glare occasionally is not always cause for alarm, it is important to recognize when it might indicate an underlying issue. If you find yourself frequently squinting at nighttime headlights or streetlights, leaning forward for better visibility, or feeling any sense of eye discomfort, understanding some of the possible causes can help you determine whether it’s time to schedule an evaluation with your Illinois Eye Center provider.
Common Reasons for Halos
1. Changes in the Shape of the Cornea
The cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye, plays a major role in focusing incoming light onto the retina. Ideally, the cornea’s shape should be smooth and round. However, conditions like astigmatism or keratoconus can cause the cornea to be more curved, cone-shaped, or otherwise irregular. These distortions alter how light is refracted, often creating the appearance of halos or glare around bright lights. While milder cases might be managed with glasses or contact lenses, advanced forms, such as significant keratoconus, can progress rapidly and may require specialized treatments to preserve vision.
2. Refractive Errors (Myopia or Night Myopia)
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, makes it difficult to clearly see objects at a distance. People with myopia often notice excessive glare or halos around lights due to the way light enters the eye. Even those who have never struggled with daytime vision might experience “night myopia,” where their vision becomes blurred or distorted in darker environments. This effect can be linked to the pupil dilating more at night, allowing extra peripheral light to enter the eye and potentially creating halo-like flares.
3. Dry Eyes
Adequate tear film is essential for clear vision. When eyes are overly dry, the surface can develop tiny irregularities that scatter incoming light. This scattering can produce glare or halos around headlights and other bright lights, especially at night. Chronic dry eye can have many underlying causes, from environmental factors to certain medications. For some, addressing dryness with prescription eye drops or lifestyle adjustments significantly reduces halo effects.
4. Cataracts
Cataracts occur when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy. Commonly associated with aging, they can lead to foggy or filmy vision, increased sensitivity to light, and pronounced halos or glares. Early stages might only cause minimal disruptions, but advanced cataracts can significantly impact daily tasks like reading or driving. The definitive treatment for cataracts is surgical replacement of the cloudy lens with a clear artificial lens, often providing immediate
5. Multifocal Lenses
Multifocal or progressive lenses help people see at various distances without switching between multiple pairs of glasses. However, the transition zones in these lenses can cause light to split or bend in different ways. The subtle shift from one prescription strength to another sometimes creates a halo effect around intense light sources. While many people adjust over time, persistent issues may require additional lens fittings or alternative corrective options.
6. Post-LASIK or Other Laser Eye Surgery
Laser procedures like LASIK reshape the cornea to reduce dependency on glasses or contacts. Because these surgeries deliberately alter the cornea’s curvature, patients may notice halos or glare as part of their healing process. For most, these symptoms fade as the eyes adjust; however, a percentage of patients may continue to see halos well after recovery. If you’ve undergone refractive surgery and experience ongoing halos, discussing possible follow-up treatments with an eye care professional is advisable.
7. Fuchs’ Dystrophy
This condition involves the inner layer of the cornea, which is responsible for pumping excess fluid out of the eye. When that layer doesn’t work efficiently, fluid buildup can cause the cornea to swell. The resulting irregularities in corneal shape and transparency can contribute to halos and other visual disturbances. Management may range from medicated eye drops to surgical interventions, depending on the severity.
8. Narrow-Angle Glaucoma
Glaucoma damages the optic nerve and can sometimes cause acute, abrupt rises in intraocular pressure. In the narrower-angle form of the disease, pupils may dilate too quickly, blocking fluid drainage and creating a sudden pressure spike. This acute scenario can lead to halos around lights, eye pain, headaches, and sometimes nausea. It’s a medical emergency that requires prompt attention to prevent permanent vision loss.
When to Seek Professional Help
Occasional halos or glare may not signal a serious problem, but persistent or worsening symptoms—especially those accompanied by discomfort, headaches, or other changes in your vision—should not be ignored. Regular eye exams become increasingly important as we age, and an annual check-up can help detect or rule out potential problems like cataracts or glaucoma before they escalate.
If halos or glare impacts your ability to drive safely at night or are causing you significant stress, it’s time to speak with a professional. The team at Illinois Eye Center encourages you to schedule a visit with one of our experienced eye care providers. We can evaluate your overall eye health, identify the possible cause of your halos, and recommend the most appropriate course of action—whether it’s adjusting your prescription, addressing dry eye, or exploring other interventions to keep your vision as clear and comfortable as possible. To make an appointment at one of our three locations to discuss your eye health, click here.