Is it normal to see beams coming off of light sources?

When I look at light sources brighter than their surroundings, e.g. streetlights, lamps, most kinds of screens, I see faint beams coming off of them, like you see with sunlight being filtered through trees or windows when the air is foggy/dusty. If I move my head back and forth I see them rotate around the light. I always thought that this was just what everyone saw, but after talking to a few people who said otherwise, I'm not sure.

I've heard people say they can see things like this when they squint; what I see when I squint is kind of similar in that it's seeing an illusion around a light source and also rotates when I move my head, but it's more like a double image, not beams of light like I usually see.

I have 20/20 vision (last tested a couple years ago, I've been seeing like this my whole life), never needed eye medications or been diagnosed with or prescribed anything that can cause vision disturbances.

Does everyone see this and I'm just bad at explaining it? Is it one of those things that most people don't have but isn't super uncommon, like being able to hear really high-pitched noises? Do I have some kind of vision disorder? Never thought about this much before, but I'm really curious now.

Voting Results
93% Normal
Based on 28 votes (26 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 5 )
  • Elixis

    Honestly, ask an eye doctor. They'll definitely explain to you better than anyone her can, unless one of the posters here is a doctor.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • I always thought everyone sees that. I do know I have other visual distortions some people do not such as I see static, tracers and other distortions. I can also hear really high pitched sounds that adults cannot normally hear. Ive noticed other things people dont understand too like I can bend light with my hands and other physical objects.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • flyingnostalgia

    Demons

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Incomplet

    Unless I'm misunderstanding, you're seeing something like starbursts around lights? Google it if you're unsure.

    Bring it up to an optometrist or a GP.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Redcoats

    I've always done this /:

    Comment Hidden ( show )