What Are Halos After Laser Eye Surgery — and Will I Get Them?

What Are Halos After Laser Eye Surgery — and Will I Get Them?

If you've been researching laser eye surgery, you may have come across the term "halos" — often mentioned alongside night driving or low-light vision. Naturally, this can raise concerns.

The good news is that halos are usually temporary, and not everyone experiences them. Let's unpack what halos are, why they happen, and what you can expect.

What Are Halos?

Halos are rings or glowing circles that appear around lights — most noticeable at night. Patients often describe them around:

• Streetlights

• Headlights

• Traffic lights

They're usually more noticeable in dim lighting when the pupils naturally dilate.

Why Can Halos Happen After Laser Eye Surgery?

After laser eye surgery, your cornea is reshaped to improve how light focuses on the retina. During the early healing phase, this can cause light to scatter slightly differently — especially in low-light conditions.

Common contributing factors include:

• Temporary corneal swelling

• Normal healing changes

• Pupil size in low light

• Mild dryness affecting the eye surface

These changes are part of the adjustment process as your eyes adapt to their new optical shape.

Will Everyone Get Halos?

No — not everyone experiences halos.

Some people notice mild halos for a short period, while others don't notice them at all. If halos do occur, they are usually:

• Mild

• Temporary

• More noticeable at night

• Improving over time

For most patients, halos fade significantly within weeks to a few months.

Are Halos Permanent?

In the vast majority of cases, no.

As your eyes heal and your vision stabilises:

• The cornea smooths

• Dryness improves

• The brain adapts to the new visual input

All of this reduces or eliminates halos over time.

Persistent halos are uncommon and are more likely when:

• The original prescription was very high

• There was significant astigmatism

• Dry eye is not well controlled

This is why thorough pre-operative screening is so important.

Does the Type of Laser Surgery Matter?

Halos can occur after LASIK, PRK, or SMILE, but modern laser technology has significantly reduced their likelihood.

Advanced treatments use:

• Customised ablation profiles

• Precise centration

• High-resolution corneal mapping

These innovations help minimise visual disturbances and optimise night vision outcomes.

Can Anything Help Reduce Halos?

Yes. Simple measures can make a big difference:

• Using lubricating eye drops to manage dryness

• Avoiding night driving in the first few weeks if needed

• Attending follow-up appointments so healing is monitored

Most importantly, time and healing do the heavy lifting.

Bottom Line

Halos after laser eye surgery are usually temporary, often mild, and not experienced by everyone. For most patients, they fade as the eyes heal and vision stabilises.

With proper screening, modern technology, and experienced surgeons, the risk of long-term visual disturbances is low.

Wondering If Laser Eye Surgery Is Right for You?

The easiest first step is to check your suitability online.

👉 Take our free laser eye surgery self-test
It only takes a minute and helps you understand whether you may be a good candidate — before your free screening and an appointment.