National Eye Institute: Cataracts
The federal research agency for vision and eye health, offering plain-language patient information on every major eye condition.
Visit SiteWhat am I seeing?
Halos around lights.
Bright circles form around light sources.
Starburst effect.
Light may radiate outward in streaks.
Increased glare.
Lights feel overly bright or harsh.
Reduced clarity at night.
Dark environments make these effects more noticeable.
“Every headlight turns into a starburst at night“
Light Glare
What’s happening to vision?
This web experience is intended for educational and empathy-building purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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Light glare and halos affect how your eyes handle bright light. Instead of seeing a clear point of light, it may appear to glow, spread, or form rings.
These effects are often more noticeable at night and can make activities like driving more difficult or uncomfortable.
What changes
Small things suddenly aren’t.
01
Rings form around light:
Circular halos may surround bright sources.
02
Brightness feels overwhelming:
Lights can seem too intense or harsh.
03
Night driving becomes difficult:
Glare can reduce visibility and increase strain.
04
Vision feels scattered:
Light may appear to spread unevenly across your view.
Conditions that cause this
What's behind this?
Many different conditions can affect the way you see. Here are some of the conditions commonly associated with this type of visual change.
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Corneal edema
- Keratoconus
- Fuchs' dystrophy
- Refractive errors (near and/or farsightedness, astigmatism)
- Dry eye disease
- Post-surgical changes (LASIK, PRK, cataract surgery)
Treatment & support
Can it be treated?
Treatment for glare and halos depends on the underlying cause.
In some cases, updated eyeglasses or contact lenses may help reduce symptoms. Managing conditions like dry eye or cataracts can also improve visual clarity.
If glare interferes with daily activities, especially night driving, or appears suddenly with pain or vision changes, it's important to seek medical care.
Clinical Trials
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