OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

What Are Those Strange Clear Circles at the Edge of My Vision When I Look at Bright Lights?

8/1/2025, 2:20:20 PMMale25-34

When I focus on a bright light source, such as the flashlight of my phone, I notice peculiar translucent circles forming on the periphery of my sight. These seem to be tiny impurities in my field of vision that I can’t seem to eliminate. The light appears to refract off of them, creating larger, see-through shapes along the edges of my eyesight. These circles can be observed both above, near the brow area, and below, towards my cheeks. It's evident that these anomalies are external to my eyes since they shift in position when I manipulate my face; pulling down my cheek causes the circles to move down as well, and lifting my eyebrows makes them rise accordingly. Despite conducting an online search, I cannot find any relevant information about this phenomenon. Can anyone offer assistance? Additionally, when I gaze at intense lights, I experience quite noticeable halos, similar to what you might see in the first example mentioned above.

WellnessLifestyle ChangesPreventive Medicine

Answers (1)

Cony

8/1/2025, 2:20:42 PM

OpenHealth AI

It sounds like you're experiencing some unusual visual phenomena when looking at bright lights, such as translucent circles and halos. These occurrences could be linked to a few common factors, including visual distortions caused by eye strain, light reflection, or even something as straightforward as the way your eyes and eyelids interact with light.

Understanding Your Symptoms:

  • Translucent Circles and Halos: When you look at bright lights, any minor imperfections in the tears coating your eyes or the surface of your eyelids can cause light to refract differently, creating the circles and halos you see. These effects can be amplified by conditions such as dry eyes, allergies, or fatigue.
  • Movement Correlation: The shifting positions of these circles with changes in your facial expressions suggest that they are likely associated with the surface structure or alignment of your eyelids rather than an internal eye condition.

Next Steps:

  1. Hydration: Ensure you're drinking enough water throughout the day. Staying hydrated can help maintain a healthy tear film, which may reduce the presence of these visual anomalies.

  2. Manage Eye Strain: If you're spending long hours focusing on screens or bright lights, take frequent breaks using the "20-20-20" rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

  3. Check Eye Health: Pay attention to any accompanying symptoms. If you notice changes in your vision, persistent discomfort, or if the phenomenon worsens, it may be helpful to evaluate eye care options to rule out any underlying issues.

  4. Eye Protection: When using bright screens or being in bright environments, consider wearing blue light-blocking glasses or sunglasses with UV protection to help ease the strain on your eyes.

  5. Observe Symptoms: Keep a record of when these occurrences happen and their intensity. This can help identify if there are specific triggers, such as certain lighting conditions or prolonged activities.

If these visual effects continue to concern you or worsen over time, seeking an eye care professional’s advice may provide further insights into your situation. They can offer a detailed examination to ensure your eye health is in good condition.

Related Questions

Persistent Sensation of Pressure and Feeling Disconnected

Hello, I'm a 22-year-old female, and I've been experiencing an unusual pressure behind and above my eyes over the last few days, particularly between my eyebrows. Alongside this sensation, I’ve been feeling oddly disconnected or foggy, as if I’m not completely engaged with my surroundings. There's also a tingling or tightness in the area between my eyes. Sleep has been elusive, and I find myself only able to drift off if I apply pressure on the inner corners of my eyes or rest my face against a hard surface. Although my eye doctor has reassured me that my vision is normal, I remain anxious about these feelings. Additionally, I have a suspicion that I might be dealing with some earwax accumulation, as my ears feel somewhat blocked. With classes approaching, I'm quite worried because it's impacting my ability to concentrate.

AgingWellnessLifestyle Changes
Male25-34
52 minutes ago

Struggling with an Ingrown Toenail: Seeking Advice

Hello everyone! I’m a 17-year-old who has been dealing with an ingrown toenail for an entire year now. This condition has truly become a significant obstacle in my life, especially since it prevents me from playing football. Despite undergoing three surgical procedures, the issue keeps recurring. I am reaching out for assistance. On my right toe, the skin is swollen and red, accompanied by a persistent feeling of pressure. It feels as if there’s a hollow space developing inside the toe, as the redness seems to be originating from that area. As for my left toe, it appears to be more typical—less painful and showing no signs of infection—but I still suspect that there might be a similar issue lurking beneath the surface. I’m willing to share images if necessary, as my main wish is to regain my quality of life. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated!

WellnessSupplementsFamily Medicine
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Seeking Insight on a Foot Condition

Concern regarding the underside of my foot has arisen. Initially, it presented with a callous-like feel accompanied by an indentation. Fast forward several months, and the situation has progressed to its current appearance, which still persists even after vigorous cleaning during showers. Occasionally, I experience discomfort while walking. Could anyone offer their thoughts on what this might be? Just for context, I'm 18 and not taking any medications. Visuals can be found in the comments.

SupplementsLifestyle ChangesFamily Medicine
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Daily Flush of Heat in Right Ear

I'm a 20-year-old male, and I've been experiencing a strange occurrence with my right ear. Every day, for approximately 20 minutes, it turns intensely red and feels unusually warm. This has persisted for roughly a week. Interestingly, I recall having a similar issue a few years back with one of my heels, where it would swell up, turn red, and sting. At that time, I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, but that's where the concerns ended.

WellnessLifestyle ChangesPreventive Medicine
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Misaligned Toenails: Seeking Solutions

I've noticed that my toenails tend to grow at an odd angle, leaning to one side rather than extending straight out. While this condition doesn't cause me any pain, it does bother me quite a bit. I'm curious if there are any methods that could help them grow in a more typical manner. Recently, I began using barefoot shoes—will this change potentially help correct their alignment over time? This issue has persisted for several years and affects both of my feet, particularly the middle toes, where the deviation is most pronounced. My medical history is clear; I don’t take any regular medications, I don’t smoke, and my height is 5'6" while weighing approximately 200 pounds.

ExerciseSupplementsLifestyle Changes
Male25-34
1 hour ago