Discussions By Condition: Eye conditions

Hey There,I see a halo around streetlights at night as well. I'm very near-sighted and have horrible night vision. That could be the cause? Are you on any medicines? Some medicines can cause blurriness. I highly doubt its anything serious, but for a tip: anxiety can cause blurriness and the halo effect. so, something to check into. Hope all is well. Don't stress.

they say that the eyes look fine. http://forums.wrongdiagnosis.com/images/misc/progress.gifDid the doctors look at your optic nerve? What kind of doctor did you see?Do you ever see halos around other lights? Do you have any other trouble with your vision and do you wear glasses or any corrective lenses?In addition to the connection to stress or anxiety, you may want to look into natural vision improvement systems that reduce eye strain - but be careful because in my experience it is not easy to find honest information about natural vision improvement.You can start here at http://fiteyes.comDave

Thanks for the reply, folks. I was examined by optometrists or ophtomologists in the eye clinic. They looked inside the eyes a few times. As far as I understood, they checked retina, nerve, channels that drain the fluids in the eyes, etc. Pressure was also meassured. I guess they know what they do. Yes, I wear glases. For reading +2.25 LE and 1.5 RE. When I am outdoors I wear +1.5 LE and +1 RE. I guess it is not too bad. I am not very short or far sighted. I am 38 yo. I do not take any medcines and my general shape is quite normal. No other health problems. I feel the tension in the eyes (especially left one) all the time, no matter if I wear glasses or not. The halo I can see also with and without glasses. I saw it also when I was taken a picture with red-eye reduction lamp/diode switched on. Dark background and strong point-source of light seem to be enough. I read a lot about the eye diseaes after the halo appeared and they write all the time the same: halo means most likely glaucoma. I want underline it once again: the doctors say it is not a case. I am still very afraid. Pawel

I read that if you are having a glaucoma attack (seeing halos, etc..) vision loss follows almost directly after so I don't think thats it, especially if your IOP levels are normal. I'll research other reasons for "halo effect" and see what I can find. Do you have migraines? Cheer up!

i have halos also and hiv suffer from perifferal neurapthy and beleive mine is caused from the deteriation of the myalene shell around my and everones nervous system wiring ,could be nerve damage in your case .i would love to know myself ,driving at knight is a problem to me over it ,stevenwillow 36 at yahoo.com

Lyme disease, gland{ thyroid/ adrenals} / hormone problems,& autoimmune problems can play games with your vision too. I can't drive at night at all. Hope you find out what it is soon.

My eyes are naturally dilated and always have been. I see the halos too, in the past year the quality of my eyesight has decreased dramatically. I have almost no night vision and now lights are starting to make my eyes burn. Help?

I began one night leaving the office and halos were so bright couldn't even see the cars behine their lights......street lamps were nothing but a halo, lamps in the house also same......Took 2 trips to the opthamologist to find out that I have ocular migraines. I can tell when one is going to happen for while at office I have to keep trying to focus on what am looking at...its not blurry, its more like trying to adjust my eyes or move them right ....hard to explain that, anyway, they happen mostly when I have had a hard day at work or gone shopping and gotten really tired.I now take a medicine to prevent migraines and am doing better.Good Luck

This is an interesting thread - halos area really getting me down too (streetkights, headlights, car breaklights, even the moon, lights at home and even using a computer screen some times...). SOmetimes the halos (or "slight blurring") is equal in both eyes, sometimes (like tonight) is it predominantly in my left eye. I seem to suffer worse in winter than in summer. In general I nottice them driving home (maybe from the gym or shopping), it will wear off after sitting down for about 30 minutes or so, but I may feel really quite/very tired at the same time (could it be realted to the tiredness?). I am 32 tear old female (almost 33!), 5'4", 62kg (so neither over nor under weight), very active and healthy (gym/sport 5 times a week), I eat a balanced diet (including meat, fish, lots of vegetables), I don't smoke and I only drink moderately (probably 2 to 6 units a week, sometimes none at all). I am really quite long sighted (+7 in both eyes) and have an astymatism. I wear contact lenses between 3 and 12 hours a day (on average 5 to 7 hours a day) and glasses the rest of the time. Medication wise I am on Salbutamol (asthma) and Quinine Sulphate (muscle cramps). Have had the halos for a little over two years. Admitedly this was about 6 months after my Dad died, but the halos don't SEEM to coincide with particular times of stress/anxiety AND have got worse over the last 2 years.... Originally I probably saw the halos about once or twice a week, now I probably see them most nights. Saw my General Practictioner who refered me to an eye specialist - the specialist couldn't find anything at all (he dilated my pupils to have a good look). Have had regular (every 6 to 12 months) optician appointments and they can't find anything that would cause the halos. Have had regular glaucoma tests. Have also had a full blood workup a few months ago (uncle runs a medical lab, so did all the tests) - so evidence of diabetes or anything else (everything very good). I mentioned it again last time I saw my GP, but they don't seem bothered at all... am not sure whether to feel relieved or just "not taken seriously". The only thing that the GP has offered is refering me to a different eye specialist for another look (saw the last one 2 years ago). Last time I saw the optician, they suggested that maybe the Quinine Sulphate could cause the halos (interestingly the doctor didn't suggest this), so maybe I should ask my GP to change me onto something else - if this doesn't clear the "halos" up, then maybe see another specialist... It all seems very odd to me (and annoying) and the lack of interest from doctors is really frustrating: I know I am not making it up, so SOMETHING must be causing it... but no-one seems concerned enough to get to the bottom of it :( LoisC

i had this problem or something very like it.turned out to be exhaustion.i hope it may be as simple in some of these cases.god bless you all.

My opthamologist didn't diagnosis my halos as ocular migraines until the second trip...he went into more questioning the 2nd time around about when they happen etc. If I get in a cycle of them they can last every day also...takes a while to get out of that daily cycle. I vary from those to the pain migraines that hit above my left eye.I take a thyroid medicine as well as a blood pressure medicine for systolic hypertension. But have had the headaches long before any of those problems.I work for a family doctor and he wants treats my migraines and knows when am having the ocular migraines and tells me to go in back office and rest my eyes for a while....after closing my eyes about 30 minutes this usually will relieve the vision problem and help. yes....stress can be related as the above post. I think both kinds have returned from long hours and short staffed...I am worn out ...and I do mean worn out!

Oh my, that sounds just like me. I've had halos for quite a long time now, but no pain or anything. I've seen a few specialists and several eye doctors. None of them have an answer and I've never had headaches. I've also been to my family doctor, had blood work and was tested for diabeties and none of those things match up. I'm only 19, so it seems weird that I would see permanent halos. I get rainbow halos around lights and I see colored halos around traffic lights. I even see halos around candle lights and my digital clock in the car. I see what the eye doctors have referred to as ghosting when I read and watch TV and I get starbursts. I notice it the most when there is a color like white against black, or black against while. Mainly, my vision is the worst at night when it's dark or early morning when it's still dark. Because my field of view has not been affected, no one really takes me seriously. I've had all tell me there is nothing wrong with my eyes, which is just confusing to me! It's been very stressful trying to go to University and do tons of readings when I've got this going on. People say try and forget it, but honestly, you cannot forget about something that is always there.It's nice to know I am not the only one out there. One eye doctor suggested that it was just normal. Have you ever heard of any of this being normal at age 19??? Another eye doc suggested dry eye, so I tried using drops, but nothing really changes. Plus, I'm only 19, and apparently according to my family doc dry eye shouldn't occur in ppl 19. Plus, I have none of the symptoms of dry eye. Many doctors are very interested though, as they have never heard of anyone my age that sees this sort of stuff all the time. They ever suggested taking advil even though I didn't have a headache, but that too didn't work. I am actually pretty upset with a lot of these people because they don't understand what is going on. It's 2007, and if they cannot tell me what is wrong in 2007, then obviously technological and intellectual advancement isn't really that great after all.If anyone has ever heard of this or knows what it could be let me know.

although halos can be a sign of glaucoma, they do not equate to that condition. in general, halos are the consequence of an optical aberration (specifically spherical aberration). as we age, the lens of the eye thickens and it is common that people will become more aware of halos as time goes on.an thorough eye examination can help rule out glaucoma, cataracts, or other pathologic causes of halos.good luck, hope this helps.

I'm only 19, so it seems weird that I would see permanent halos. I get rainbow halos around lights and I see colored halos around traffic lights. I am 38 and I thought that I was too young for it. You are right. This is horrible feeling when you go to a doctor to get some help and they seem not to believe you. "Your eyes are fine", they say. But there must be some physical reason for it. I was examined by doctors in Poland, the US and lately in Austria. Always with the same result: "No worries, pal. Everything is fine. I cannot see anything wrong inside of them.". But tihs is not normal to see permanent halos at age 38. Let alone 19!!!! I still hope that one day someone will tell me what is wrong with my eyes and how to get them work properly, though. And no worries, I will share the secret. :) Pawel

I am only 31, so in complete agreement. Fortunately things have been quite a bit better this past month (October - end of January was pretty awful...). Maybe it is "envorionmental", but I have NO idea what could be causing it... :confused: I too feel little reassurance from the dcotors saying "you are fine - can see nothing wrong". I wish someone would step up and take it seriously... Boo I am 38 and I thought that I was too young for it. You are right. This is horrible feeling when you go to a doctor to get some help and they seem not to believe you. "Your eyes are fine", they say. But there must be some physical reason for it. I was examined by doctors in Poland, the US and lately in Austria. Always with the same result: "No worries, pal. Everything is fine. I cannot see anything wrong inside of them.". But tihs is not normal to see permanent halos at age 38. Let alone 19!!!! I still hope that one day someone will tell me what is wrong with my eyes and how to get them work properly, though. And no worries, I will share the secret. :) Pawel

The first few times the halos appeared I just saw my regular eye doctor and he made me come in one night when one was actually going on to check my pressure at exactly that time....it was ok so he referred me to the opthamologist....the first time I saw them was given drops, and thought was fluid behind cornea causing it. Well, when they continued the doctor (family practice) wanted me to go back again. The 2nd trip, the doctor asked a million questions, did a lot of test and that is when got the diagnosis of ocular migraines. With those he explained you don't have (sometimes) pain with them it just affects the vision some......and causes the halos. I have learned over this time though to know when am going to have one. Some weeks I have them daily, then may go for weeks without. I am on Topamax to prevent migraines for I had begun having a deep throbbing ache over my left eye almost daily....migraines advancing from the no pain ocular to the ocular with some pain now. With the Topamax though they have been longer and longer between. These type things have really nothing to do with your "eyes" or sight in a regular exam...(Sorry, I think I repeated a lot of my first posting but thought maybe could explain better again)

SOmetimes the halos (or "slight blurring") is equal in both eyes, sometimes (like tonight) is it predominantly in my left eye. ...(could it be realted to the tiredness?). ...I probably saw the halos about once or twice a week, now I probably see them most nights.LoisCIn my case it is related to the condition and the stress in the eye. I can see it with the left one all the time. The only thing which changes is its intensity. The left eye is longsighted (+2.5). Right one is better (+1) and I can see the partial halo which never reach the full 360 grad circle. I noticed that the effect is much much stronger when eyes get tired. In my case they do not tolerate artificial light at all! After 2 hrs of bowling or a game of soccer in the night I feel that eyes get extremely tired, vision quality decreases (I cannot see so sharp like before and I got the feeling that I would have to encrease the power of my glasses by +1, at least) In the morning after the sleep everything gets better. But directly after these 2 hours under the artificial light the halo is incredible. I would not compare it to the rainbow but believe me, it is really huge and distinct. And i noticed also very interesting thing. I cover my right (better) eye and look at the streetlight only with the left one. I feel that tension (mechanical) in the eye is increasing. The halo gets more and more visible and pronounced. Then I UNCOVER the right one. When it starts working, for a short moment the halo in the left one is gone!It returnes very fast but for the short moment it is really gone. Why? The heck if I know. Did anyone noticed something like this. And what about you, LoisC? :) If you want, try to do this experiment and tell me what you see. It is really ironic. I made my PhD playing in the field of spectroscopy. I could deal with almost all the kind of high-tech optics. Am I really beaten by the deffects of my own one? :confused: Pawel

I have halos and starbursts around every light every night. I have gone to two eye institutes and seen 4 different eye doctors including a retinologist. Glacoma has been ruled out by all of them and the retina appears to be normal. I have also had a brain scan which is normal. The problem appeared about two years ago and has been the same every night. I had cataracts removed about nine years ago. I have not had Lasic. I now have been directed to see a cornea specialist in May. I take vision formula vitamins. I have been given tinted glasses and stronger prescription glasses. I have been given pilocarpine eye drops. I have been given anti-reflective lenses. None of these have had any effect. I am very frustrated. Does anyone have any suggestions.

I'm sure glad y'all are here! It just started in the last few hours and I was really getting nervous about it until I found this discussion. I've been on the computer for a couple hours tonight (nothing unusual) and I noticed my eyes were tired. I've had a cold and have some sinus pressure... and I was sorta ignoring my eyes, assuming that the sinus pressure plus staring at the computer was to blame. I thought when I clicked off the computer and gave them a rest, maybe took some more decongetsant that the tiredness and pressure would go away. But when I did that, I also happened to walk outside. We have some little white xmas lights on the patio and I totally freaked when I saw the halos! :eek: I kept rubbing my eyes. I closed them for a while but when I opened them the halos are still there. When I came back inside I noticed I could see them inside too but they're not as noticable as when contrasted w/the darkness outside. My right eye feels fuzzy, out of focus, I think that's because the halos are interfering w/my vision.I came in and googled "i see halos around lights" and found this discussion. (Isn't the internet and google wonderful!)I guess I'm not going to fret over it too much tonight. Although if it continues I'll go to the eye doc but I guess from reading your posts, I shouldn't be too surprised if they don't find anything wrong. (Got new glasses last summer, they did glaucoma test then...)If I learn anything about it in the future, I'll come back and add to this thread.Thanks for sharing here! Good luck.

@halos:although dryness may be causing your symptoms, your description would be very consistent with a mild or transient attack of angle closure glaucoma. the halos would be caused by transient corneal edema and the "sinus pressure" from increased eye pressure. decongestants can trigger these attacks in susceptible people.the "glaucoma test" you had was likely only a pressure check - you would really need gonioscopy (looking at the eye with a lens on it) to check for this problem. bottom line: don't blow this off...