As you are driving back home, you may notice headlights surrounded by glowing rings or street lights appearing blurry. You may ignore it, thinking it to be normal, blame screen fatigue after a long day at work, or assume it may naturally subside after some rest.
But if halos around lights become frequent or persistent, you may ignore that something more than simple eye strain is at play and could point to an underlying eye condition. Ophthalmologist Dr Aparna Darswal, senior consultant at Sharp Sight Eye Hospitals, helped decode what these halos around lights could mean and when they may require medical attention.
Refractive errors The causes, as mentioned above, can range in severity, from conditions such as cataracts to something as simple as refractive errors that may be corrected with an updated prescription. Before understanding what halos may indicate about eye health, it helps to know why they appear in the first place. The effect is essentially linked to how light travels through the eye and whether it is able to focus on the retina clearly. Clinically, the doctor walked us through the reason behind, “When light enters the eye, it passes through the cornea and lens before reaching the retina. Under ideal conditions, this process produces a sharp, clean image. Halos form when that light scatters or bends abnormally before reaching the retina. The result is a ring of diffused light appearing to surround a bright source, particularly noticeable in low-light or night-time conditions when the pupil is dilated, and more of the lens surface is in use. This is why it is important to know the warning signs that may mean halos are actually more serious for you and need a prompt eye examination. Here are some signs: When you get it checked, early detection of serious conditions such as glaucoma and cataracts can seriously improve treatment outcomes. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Dr Darswal listed some of the eye conditions and vision problems that may cause halos: 4.
