Why Some Patients See Halos After Cataract Surgery

Cataract removal has a virtually 100% success rate. However, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t some potential side effects. Thankfully, most of these are transient and resolve in the weeks and months after surgery, with only a minority requiring further ophthalmologic intervention. 

One such issue is seeing halos around a light source. While this certainly doesn’t affect everyone, it is one of the more common post-surgery issues. There are three main reasons behind this: visual adjustment, refraction errors, and a condition known as posterior capsule opacification (PCO).

The 3 Main Reasons Why Some Patients See Halos After Cataract Surgery

• Reason 1: visual adjustment
• Reason 2: residual refraction error
• Reason 3: PCO

Reason 1: visual adjustment

When a cataract is removed it immediately restores normal light flow through the eye. This is received by the retina at the back of the eye and transferred to the brain via the optic nerve.

Cataracts take many years—often decades—to form. They gradually disrupt how the light flows through the eye and, during this time, the brain learns to decipher the interrupted signals. Once the cataract is removed, the brain needs time to readjust. This can often result in transient side effects—such as seeing halos around lights. 

This is by far the most common reason, and the chances are further increased when a more advanced intraocular lens (IOL) is fitted. But don’t worry—this usually settles down within a few weeks. 

Reason 2: residual refraction error

If you need to wear eyeglasses after a cataract operation (usually the case if you have a monofocal IOL fitted) then a prescription error can cause you to see halos. You won’t usually get your new glasses until at least 8 weeks after the operation. This gives the tissue time to heal. Your ophthalmologist will then reassess your vision and a new prescription will be created. Once this is done, you shouldn’t have any problems with seeing halos around lights.

Reason 3: PCO

PCO is sometimes incorrectly referred to as a “second cataract”. This is because the symptoms are similar—but rest assured that once a cataract is removed, it cannot return. 

PCO is a condition when proteins within the eye begin to clump together on the lens capsule to which the new IOL is attached. Once again, this causes a diversion of the passage of light through the eye and can cause symptoms, such as seeing halos around lights. This can happen at any time after a cataract operation—from mere months to many years later.

Thankfully, there’s a very easy fix. A special type of laser (called a YAG laser) is used to target these proteins, breaking them up and dispersing them. It’s a simple, 5-minute procedure that’s performed in the eye doctor’s office. Once done, those pesky halos will be gone and shouldn’t return. 

PCO can affect anything from 25%-50% of people who’ve had cataracts removed. You should report any new symptoms, such as halos, to your eye doctor promptly if you begin to experience them. They will examine the eye to see if PCO is the cause. If it is, you’ll be promptly treated, and this should permanently rectify the issue.

Worried About Halos After Cataract Surgery? Contact the West Boca Eye Center Today

One of the reasons that the WBEC is one of the country’s leading cataract clinics is our passion for arming patients with knowledge about their condition (and, of course, our global reputation for cutting-edge cataract surgery).

We do our utmost to keep you fully informed every step of the way. That includes the likelihood of potential postoperative side effects, such as why some patients see halos after cataract surgery.

Discover more about us and the reasons thousands of patients trust us with their precious eyesight at https://www.westbocaeyecenter.com/