Are halos around lights normal after YAG laser capsulotomy?

What's normal

Glare and halos are among the symptoms that send people in for this laser in the first place. StatPearls describes patients with posterior capsule opacification complaining of blurred vision along with glare. After treatment, some glare can persist briefly while the pupil is still dilated and while any mild inflammation settles, since a large pupil spreads light around the edge of the lens implant.

For most people the trend is toward better night vision, not worse, because the cloudy capsule that was scattering light has been opened. The AAO's clinical guidance reports that roughly 83 to 96 percent of eyes achieve improved visual acuity after the procedure. Some people always notice a degree of halo from their lens implant itself, especially with multifocal lenses, and the laser does not change that.

Most noticeable in the first day or two and usually improving as the pupil returns to normal and any inflammation settles.

When it stops being normal

Halos combined with eye pain, redness, or a hard-feeling eye should be checked promptly, because that pairing points toward an eye pressure rise. The AAO's clinical guidance describes a transient pressure increase of more than 10 mmHg in roughly 15 to 67 percent of eyes after this laser and schedules pressure checks starting 1 to 4 hours after treatment.

Halos that appear along with flashes of light, a sudden shower of new floaters, or a shadow or curtain in your vision need a same-day retina exam. The AAO says a detached retina must be examined by an ophthalmologist right away or you could lose vision in that eye.