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What Causes Halo Effect On Seeing Around The Bulbs Or Headlights?

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Posted on Tue, 13 May 2014
Question: Just in the past few days, I've noticed my eyes are under much more strain (I stare at a PC screen all day long), but I've also noticed that looking at the headlights of on-coming traffic during the day, I see a halo effect around them, and I'm even somewhat bothered just looked at a 60Watt incandescent bulb in the house. I just had a thorough eye exam in Dec and all was fine. I have lots of issues: major depression, ADHD (diagnosed just 1o years ago) anxiety, Raynauds, and just two weeks ago found out I have upper airway resistance syndrome. My current meds are 162 mg Concerta ER, 250 mg Nuvigil, 10 mg Lexapro, one tablet of Pristiq, and Klonopin as needed during the day. I also have periodic limb movement disorder (58 episodes per hour from my 2009 sleep study test, but the PLMD did not show up on my recent sleep study test. Also, for the past 6 mos or so, many days my arms feel like they are in buckets of ice water. The wheels are in motion to have a complete neuro/lumbar spine evaluation at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. So right now, my biggest concern is your assessment of the halo effect I'm seeing
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (1 hour later)
Brief Answer: It is colored halos and require evaluation. Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to Health care magic Iam Dr. Dadapeer K, an ophthalmologist and I answer health problems related to eye. I reviewed the history, it seems you are having halo effect on seeing around the bulbs or headlights of vehicles. This is called as colored halos and the common causes in the eye are early cataract and corneal edema probably as a result of glaucoma. Hence I advice you to get eye examination by your ophthalmologist to look for these causes and to rule out them as your 60 years old and these two are common in this age group. Though you have undergone eye examination 4 months back it is worth to have a repeat examination by your ophthalmologist. The other causes are drug induced side effects. Since you are having multiple problems and you are taking drugs for anxiety. Of these two drugs Concreta ER and Klonopin can rarely cause this as a side effect of the drug. But this side effect is quite rare and relatively uncommon. Hence I advice you first to rule out causes from the eyes by examination from your ophthalmologist and if it comes out normal, you consult your physician doctor to rule out the side effects of the drugs. Hope I have answered question and the information is helpful to you. Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (15 hours later)
Dr. Dadapeer - thank you for your reply - I appreciate it. In my history, I just gave you a few of my 'issues', but with this one, I was wondering if I should have gone to the ER last night. Nonetheless, I've taken your advice and have an app't Monday a.m. with my opthomologist (my annual eye exam is with an optometrist, but he takes photos of the back of my eye, field of vision test, etc., and I've seen him for 30+ years, and trust his thoroughness). I also do carry a lot of stress, having lost my wife at age 51 to colon cancer 4 years ago (and my two grown children cared for her in hospice at our home for nearly 4 month), as well as 10 years of concern over my son (now 29), who at age 17, he was suicidal and had 6 in-patient stays at XXXXXXX Memorial Hosp in Milwaukee, and has a formal diagnosis of treatment-resistant depression. But despite that, he's stayed the course, and will be getting his BBA from the well-respected U of WI Bus School next month. I can't put into words how incredibly proud I am of him with all that he's accomplished. Thanks again XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (8 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Thank you Detailed Answer: Hello sir Thank you for the reply. Do get back to me after eye examination with your ophthalmologist or optometrist. If you have any futher questions I will be happy to answer. Thank you With regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Dadapeer K

Ophthalmologist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 5709 Questions

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What Causes Halo Effect On Seeing Around The Bulbs Or Headlights?

Brief Answer: It is colored halos and require evaluation. Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to Health care magic Iam Dr. Dadapeer K, an ophthalmologist and I answer health problems related to eye. I reviewed the history, it seems you are having halo effect on seeing around the bulbs or headlights of vehicles. This is called as colored halos and the common causes in the eye are early cataract and corneal edema probably as a result of glaucoma. Hence I advice you to get eye examination by your ophthalmologist to look for these causes and to rule out them as your 60 years old and these two are common in this age group. Though you have undergone eye examination 4 months back it is worth to have a repeat examination by your ophthalmologist. The other causes are drug induced side effects. Since you are having multiple problems and you are taking drugs for anxiety. Of these two drugs Concreta ER and Klonopin can rarely cause this as a side effect of the drug. But this side effect is quite rare and relatively uncommon. Hence I advice you first to rule out causes from the eyes by examination from your ophthalmologist and if it comes out normal, you consult your physician doctor to rule out the side effects of the drugs. Hope I have answered question and the information is helpful to you. Thank you