Seen Differently

All patterns

Light glare

Every headlight becomes a small explosion.

Typical visionWith light glare
Moderate: bright lights swell into halos and rays that wash out their surroundings.

Type

Try it

Which bus is pulling in, and is it safe to cross yet?

What's happening

Glare happens when light scatters inside the eye instead of focusing cleanly. Bright sources grow halos and starbursts that wash out everything around them. It's why many people with early cataract stop driving at night long before their daytime vision is a problem.

This simulation is for understanding and empathy. It is not a diagnosis and doesn't replace an eye examination.

What you might notice

Halos and starbursts

Rings and rays surround lamps and headlights.

Slow recovery

After a bright light passes, you stay dazzled for longer.

Sunlight hurts

Low sun, snow and wet roads become hard to face.

Night is worse

Pupils widen in the dark and let in more scattered light.

Where it gets hard

  • Night driving and oncoming headlights.
  • Low winter sun.
  • Bright shops, stations and hospitals.
  • Phone screens in a dark room.

Often caused by

Conditions commonly linked to this pattern.

  • Cataract
  • Fuchs corneal dystrophy
  • Dry eye
  • After laser eye surgery
  • Keratoconus
  • Acute angle-closure glaucoma (halos with pain)

Treatment and support

Treating the cause usually cuts the glare: cataract surgery, lubricating drops for dry eye, or specialty contact lenses for keratoconus. Anti-reflective coatings, tinted lenses, a brimmed hat and avoiding night driving help in the meantime.

Looking for research you could join? Search ClinicalTrials.gov or the EU Clinical Trials register.

Get checked the same day if

You see halos around lights together with eye pain, headache, nausea or a red eye. This can be acute glaucoma, a medical emergency.

If it's sudden or comes with other symptoms, go to an emergency department.

Where to learn more