Why am I seeing a halo in my vision?
Joseph Russell
Updated on May 12, 2026
Halos are a typical problem linked to cataracts. A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. It can be compared to a window that is frosted or yellowed, or looking through a foggy or dusty car windshield. Things look blurry, hazy or less colorful with a cataract.
When should I be concerned about halos?
Seeing halos around lights can be a cause for concern, or it can be completely normal. If you notice a sudden appearance of halos or they're accompanied by pain, blurred vision or other severe symptoms, seek immediate medical care, as this can signal a serious eye condition.How do you get rid of halos in your eye?
Possible treatments include:
- Watching and waiting to see if the glare and halos clear up on their own, such as after LASIK surgery.
- Medicated eye drops.
- Treatment for cataracts.
- Wearing sunglasses during the day to reduce glare.
- Using the visor on your car to keep direct sunlight out of your eyes.
What do glaucoma halos look like?
When looking at lights, people with glaucoma will see a rainbow-colored circle around them. Some people will not even be able to look at the light to see the halo, which is another sign of glaucoma that has advanced from the halo stage. The best way to test this sign of glaucoma is to simply look at a light.Can halo vision be corrected?
Treatment for Glare and HalosPossible treatments include: Observation to see if the glare and halos clear up on their own, such as after LASIK surgery. Medicated eye drops. Treatment for cataracts.
What causes glares and halos? - Dr. Shama Essa, OD
Do dry eyes cause halos?
Dry eyes. When the eye's surface is too dry, it can become irregular, and light entering the eye can scatter. This can cause you to see halos around lights, especially at night.What are the warning signs of a detached retina?
Detached retina (retinal detachment)
- dots or lines (floaters) suddenly appear in your vision or suddenly increase in number.
- you get flashes of light in your vision.
- you have a dark "curtain" or shadow moving across your vision.
- your vision gets suddenly blurred.