Yes, the landing lights in the A320 can help a little with descent when you've been left high and close in. You don't want to put them out too fast though - quick way to strip the gearbox and they're costly units.
In the 737 at one stage we would have everything out at 10000 as SOP; it quickly changed when gearbox's were stripped regularly. Then it changed back again with increased bird strikes, then back again when fuel became expensive......you get the idea.