Night Vision Problems, Glare, and Halos
Night vision problems such as glare, halos, and starbursts around lights are common visual complaints, especially in adults experiencing cataracts, dry eye, astigmatism, or changes after previous vision correction procedures. At Peninsula Laser Eye Medical Group in Mountain View, Dr. Jeffrey Liu and Dr. Dan Beers evaluate the underlying cause of nighttime visual disturbances and recommend treatment based on your specific eye health and lifestyle needs.
Why Am I Seeing Halos or Glare at Night?
If headlights seem excessively bright, streetlights appear to have rings around them, or nighttime driving feels more difficult than it used to, your eyes may not be processing contrast and incoming light efficiently.
Patients often describe symptoms such as:
- Halos around headlights or lamps
- Starbursts radiating from light sources
- Increased glare while driving at night
- Difficulty seeing in dim restaurants or theaters
- Reduced contrast sensitivity in low-light environments
- Eye strain or visual fatigue after dark
These symptoms can develop gradually or become more noticeable over time depending on the underlying cause.
Common Causes of Night Vision Problems
Several eye conditions can affect how well you see in low-light settings.
Cataracts
Cataracts are one of the most common causes of glare and halos, particularly in adults over age 60. As the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy, incoming light scatters instead of focusing clearly, reducing contrast and causing visual distortions around bright lights.
Astigmatism or Uncorrected Refractive Error
Even mild astigmatism can cause light distortion, ghosting, or blurred nighttime vision if your prescription is outdated or undercorrected.
Dry Eye Disease
A stable tear film is essential for clear vision. When the surface of the eye becomes dry or irregular, light refracts unevenly, often making glare and halos worse, especially at night.
Previous LASIK or Vision Correction Surgery
Some patients notice nighttime visual symptoms after earlier refractive surgery, particularly if prescriptions have shifted over time or if dry eye has developed afterward.
Large Pupils in Low Light
When pupils naturally enlarge in darker environments, more peripheral light enters the eye, which can sometimes increase visual aberrations such as halos or starbursts.
When Are Night Vision Symptoms Most Noticeable?
Night vision complaints are commonly worse:
- During nighttime driving
- In rainy or foggy conditions
- Around LED headlights or bright streetlights
- In dim indoor environments
- When eyes feel tired or dry late in the day
If these symptoms are becoming more disruptive, it may be time for a comprehensive eye evaluation.
How Are Night Vision Problems Treated?
Treatment depends entirely on what is causing the symptoms.
Options may include:
Updated Glasses or Contact Lens Prescription
Small prescription changes can significantly improve nighttime clarity and reduce glare.
Dry Eye Treatment
Addressing ocular surface disease may improve tear film stability and visual quality, especially if dryness is contributing to fluctuating vision.
Cataract Surgery
If cataracts are the primary issue, cataract surgery may improve both daytime clarity and nighttime visual performance. Lens implant selection can also influence contrast sensitivity and glare reduction.
Laser Vision Correction
For appropriate candidates, customized laser vision correction may improve refractive irregularities contributing to poor night vision.
Is Night Vision Trouble Always a Sign of Cataracts?
Not necessarily.
While cataracts are a frequent cause of glare and halos, they are not the only explanation. Dry eye, astigmatism, prior LASIK, and other optical changes can create similar symptoms. A detailed exam is the best way to determine what is actually causing your vision changes.
Can Dry Eye Cause Halos Around Lights?
Yes.
Dry eye changes the smooth optical surface of the cornea. Even mild tear film instability can create distorted light entry, causing halos, blur, and fluctuating clarity, particularly later in the day or while driving at night.
Expert Evaluation for Night Vision Problems in Mountain View
Seeing clearly is only part of visual performance. Your eyes also need to process contrast, brightness, and incoming light accurately, especially after dark.
At Peninsula Laser Eye Medical Group, Dr. Jeffrey Liu and Dr. Dan Beers evaluate patients experiencing glare, halos, poor night vision, and other visual disturbances to identify the underlying cause and recommend the most appropriate next step.
If nighttime driving or low-light vision has become more difficult, call Peninsula Laser Eye Medical Group at (650) 961-2585 or request an appointment online for a comprehensive eye evaluation in Mountain View.