Why Do I See Rings of Color Around Bright Lights?

Rings of color around bright lights, also known as halos, typically happen when there’s either diffraction or refraction in the eye. Here, we’ll look at how this phenomena occurs, what the causes could be, and what you need to know if you’re seeing these unwanted special effects.

Standard Causes of the Halo Effect

Halos are usually due to some sort of bend in the light. For example, if you have glaucoma in Pittsburgh, the pressure on the eyes can alter how the light passes into the eyes. However, halos are not always the sign of a serious eye disorder in Pittsburgh, PA. It can be as simple as your eyes are a little dry from a long day at work, and you just need a good night’s sleep to fix it.

Why It Matters

Suppose you’re experiencing halos regularly, especially if they’re getting worse or they are interfering with critical tasks (like driving). In that case, you’ll want to see an optometrist in Pittsburgh, PA to learn more about what’s causing the problem. Or, if you have accompanying symptoms, such as headaches or eye pain when seeing halos, don’t ignore these issues — even if you’re only seeing halos every so often. The longer you go without treatment, the greater the odds of irreversible vision loss.

See an Optometrist in Pittsburgh

At Lappen Eye Care, our staff can do much more than just give you an eye exam or recommend a stronger prescription. We monitor our patients’ eye health, identifying anything from age-related macular degeneration to diabetic retinopathy as early as possible. If you’ve been putting off seeing your eye doctor for any reason, it’s important to give your eyes their best chance at staying healthy for as long as possible.