diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0dffd17d8..fd05bc982 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -32,7 +32,11 @@ use 'nvim-tree/nvim-web-devicons'
 
 Light or dark color variants of the icons depend on `&background`.
 
-These will be updated following `OptionSet` `background` however be advised that the plugin using nvim-web-devicons may have cached the icons.
+The variant is updated:
+- on `OptionSet` event for `background`, or
+- after explicitly calling `require("nvim-web-devicons").refresh()`.
+
+However, be advised that the plugin using nvim-web-devicons may have cached the icons.
 
 ### Setup
 
diff --git a/lua/nvim-web-devicons.lua b/lua/nvim-web-devicons.lua
index 7af607461..9b70b1362 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-web-devicons.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-web-devicons.lua
@@ -2091,13 +2091,15 @@ end
 -- Load the icons already, the loaded tables depend on the 'background' setting.
 refresh_icons()
 
+local function refresh()
+  refresh_icons()
+  set_up_highlights(true)
+end
+
 -- Change icon set on background change
 vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd("OptionSet", {
   pattern = "background",
-  callback = function()
-    refresh_icons()
-    set_up_highlights(true) -- Force update highlights
-  end,
+  callback = refresh,
 })
 
 return {
@@ -2121,4 +2123,5 @@ return {
     return icons
   end,
   set_up_highlights = set_up_highlights,
+  refresh = refresh,
 }