Does seeing a halo with a ring around it at night indicate myopia?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have been seeing rings around lights whose outer edges are made up of a rainbow at night. I already have floaters in my eyes. My spectacles have a large number of scratches, and I think it is because of that. But please tell me the possible causes, and if it is serious enough to get checked in the hospital.

Kindly advise.

Answered by Dr. Shikha Gupta

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I think you are highly myopic. That is why you have floaters at this age. The symptoms you are describing occur in glaucoma. However, other reasons are also there, but myopes have a high chance of glaucoma too. In addition, you feel pressure in your eyes, too.

So, do one thing: get your intraocular pressure checked. You can go directly to a glaucoma specialist or to an ophthalmologist. Simultaneously get your refraction done again and make new glasses. But remember, there can be other causes also, except glaucoma, for your symptoms.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Yes, I am highly myopic, but glaucoma is incurable, right? And will eyesight get restored to normal after treatment?

Kindly advise.

Answered by Dr. Shikha Gupta

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Glaucoma is a progressive disease, and its progression can be stopped using medicines. But you should not consider this diagnosis until an examination has been performed and any signs of the disease are found. So ask your examining doctor to get your retina evaluated. What prescription are you currently using?

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

My prescription is -8 diopetrs and -7.5 diopters. I got my retina evaluated four years back, and it showed no signs of damage. However, I did not experience these symptoms then. I do not think intraocular pressure was checked; only the presence of a retinal tear was ruled out. My grandfather has glaucoma. So theoretically, does it increase the chance of me having it too?

Kindly advise.

Answered by Dr. Shikha Gupta

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Yes. Chances increase with a family history. Can you attach your retina checkup report here? And I hope you have not recently received any kind of trauma. What is your age now, and what do you do?

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a teenager.

Kindly advise.

Answered by Dr. Shikha Gupta

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Pressure-like feelings can also occur in high myopia. Still, you should have your intraocular pressure checked at least once.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Can a halo happen when spectacle lenses are extremely scratched? Because I have really badly scratched spectacles, I ordered a new pair.

Kindly advise.

Answered by Dr. Shikha Gupta

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Yes, it may happen. Anyways you should not be using scratched spectacles at such high power. Are you having the same symptoms in both eyes or just one?

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Both eyes, doctor.

Kindly advise.

Answered by Dr. Shikha Gupta

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Scratches must also be on both of your glasses. You can wait for your new glasses. Use them, and if the problem persists, then go for an evaluation.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Yes, and there are a lot of scratches. I attached a picture of my glasses.

Kindly advise.

Answered by Dr. Shikha Gupta

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Wait for your new glasses. Use them for a day or two, and if it remains the same, go for testing; till then, do not worry.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

What are the other symptoms of glaucoma?

Kindly advise.

Answered by Dr. Shikha Gupta

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Look, stop worrying and thinking about glaucoma until it is proven. Glaucoma is not a one-day diagnosis and is even difficult to diagnose. It takes years, sometimes less. I just told you the possibilities.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Okay. I will go with new spectacles to an eye clinic.

Kindly advise.

Answered by Dr. Shikha Gupta

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Yes, sure.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I was wondering if I am eligible for LASIK surgery or if it is too late or complicated due to my high myopia. Do you have any opinion on that?

Kindly advise.

Answered by Dr. Shikha Gupta

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

No, you are too young. You can get the surgery done at least 20 years of age or until your refraction is stabilized.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I will go to the hospital tomorrow and get tested.

Kindly advise.

Answered by Dr. Shikha Gupta

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You are welcome.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I got my eye pressure checked. It is 10 mm Hg. The doctor said it was nothing to worry about and told me to ignore halos around lights. But could not tell why it was occurring. Do you have any opinion on that?

Kindly advise.