Understand Light Sensitivity (Photophobia): Causes, Treatment
If you are naturally more sensitive to bright light, consider wearing glasses for photophobia.These glasses can help protect your eyes from bright light conditions, helping you achieve a more comfortable vision.
Many types of photophobia glass will help reduce the effects of light sensitivity.
What is Sensitive To Light and Photophobia?
Photophobia, or sensitivity to light, refers to the discomfort caused by various light sources, like sunlight or artificial lighting. It often leads to squinting, headaches, and nausea, particularly worsened by bright light. Conditions affecting the eyes (iritis, uveitis, and keratitis) or the body, including migraines, commonly trigger photophobia.
Light Sensitivity Symptoms
- Discomfort in Bright Light: Individuals may experience discomfort or pain when exposed to bright or intense light sources, including sunlight and artificial lighting.
- Squinting and Blinking: Affected individuals often squint or blink frequently to reduce the amount of light entering the eyes, attempting to alleviate discomfort.
- Headaches: Light sensitivity can trigger headaches or migraines, particularly when exposed to bright light for prolonged periods
- Eye Pain: Some individuals may feel a sharp or aching pain in their eyes when exposed to light.
- Tearing: Increased tear production or watery eyes can occur as a response to light sensitivity.
- Nausea: In severe cases, exposure to bright light can cause nausea and a general feeling of unwellness.
- Difficulty Seeing: Bright light may cause vision to become blurry or make it difficult to see, especially in environments with varying light conditions.
- Eye Redness and Irritation: Eyes may appear red and irritated due to constant squinting or exposure to light, exacerbating discomfort.
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Get A Second OpinionWhat are the Causes of Photophobia?
Common and frequent illnesses that are associated with or are the root cause of sensitivity to light include migraine, anterior segment disease, intracranial conditions, dry eye, and blepharospasm.
Migraine
Migraine, a severe headache, often induces sensitivity to light. Chronic and sporadic migraines both significantly increase the likelihood of photophobia. Individuals with chronic migraines exhibit greater sensitivity to light than those with sporadic migraines. Studies show that nearly 80% of migraine sufferers experience photophobia.
Anterior segment disease
Conditions like cyclitis, iritis, and blepharitis have a long-term association with photophobia. These disorders are apparently due to direct irritation of the trigeminal afferent that innervates the cornea and the eye.
Dry eyes
Dry eyes occur when tears fail to provide sufficient moisture, leading to rapid drying and discomfort. This condition can trigger photophobia and, if untreated, may result in corneal ulcers, scarring, and vision loss.
Blepharospasm
Blepharospasm, or ocular dystonia, causes severe eye muscle contractions due to disrupted brain-to-muscle communication, necessitating medication. Symptoms include frequent blinking and eye irritation, with photophobia affecting four out of five patients.
Intracranial Conditions
This condition involves meningeal irritation due to meningitis, pituitary tumors, etc., which could cause photophobia. Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges caused by a bacterial infection or virus.
Diagnosis of photophobia:
If you think you have photophobia, see your ophthalmologist. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and any medical conditions you have. Then, they will check the health of your eyes and possibly your brain.
Tests that your doctor might use include:
- Slit-lamp eye examination: They will use a special microscope with light to examine your eyes.
- MRI or magnetic resonance imaging: It uses powerful magnets and radio waves to make detailed images of your eyes.
- Examination of the tear film: This checks the number of tears you are making to see if you have dry eyes.
How to Treat Photophobia?
- The best treatment for light sensitivity is to tackle the underlying cause. After the trigger is resolved or managed, photophobia most times goes away.
- If you are taking any medicine that causes sensitivity to light, talk to your doctor about stopping or replacing the medicine.
- If you are naturally sensitive to light, avoid direct sunlight and other intense light sources. Wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses with ultraviolet (UV) protection outdoors in daylight.
- Also, consider wearing glasses with photochromic lenses. These lenses automatically darken outdoors and also block 100% of the sun's UV rays.
- In direct-sunlight, wear polarized sunglasses. These lenses provide additional protection against reflections causing glare from light from water, sand, snow, concrete pavements, and other reflective surfaces.
- If you are very sensitive to light, you may even consider wearing prosthetic contact lenses specially colored to look like your own eyes and also reduce the amount of light entering your eyes to reduce or prevent photophobia.
When to visit a Doctor?
If you experience mild light sensitivity, wearing sunglasses and avoiding bright areas may suffice, but it could indicate an underlying health issue.
Certain light-sensitive cases signal medical emergencies. Seek immediate medical attention if it accompanies sudden, severe symptoms, varying depending on the underlying condition.
Schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist promptly if light sensitivity coincides with any of the following symptoms:
- Corneal abrasion: blurred vision, redness of the eyes, burning sensation or pain, feeling that something is in the eye.
- Encephalitis: fever, severe headache, confusion, difficulty waking up.
- Meningitis: nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, severe headache, chills, fever.
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage: severe and sudden headache, numbness in the body, decreased consciousness, confusion, irritability.
Tips for Prevent Light Sensitivity (Photophobia ):
Although you may not be able to prevent sensitivity to light, certain behaviors can help prevent some of the conditions that can cause photophobia, including the following:
- Try to avoid the triggers that cause you to have migraine attacks.
- Prevent conjunctivitis by practicing good hygiene, not touching the eyes, and not sharing eye makeup.
- Reduce your risk of developing meningitis by avoiding contact with infected people, washing your hands often, and immunizing against bacterial meningitis.
- Help prevent encephalitis by washing your hands frequently.
- Getting the encephalitis vaccine and avoiding exposure to mosquitoes and ticks can also help prevent encephalitis.
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Book an AppointmentHome Remedies for Light Sensitivity (Photophobia)
Gradually increase light exposure.
Avoiding darkness or wearing sunglasses indoors can exacerbate light sensitivity. Keeping lights on, even at lower levels, helps alleviate the issue.
Get rid of fluorescent bulbs.
Fluorescent lighting's invisible flicker and blue light exacerbate photophobia and light sensitivity. Warm-toned LED bulbs offer a natural, preferable alternative.
Open your blinds fully.
High-contrast light patterns can worsen brain activity. Fully opening or closing shades can eliminate scattered light and unexpected eye contact.
Check your medications
While not exhaustive, some healthcare professionals link photophobia to common medications used for various conditions.
Wear Polarized Sunglasses Outdoors
If you must go in daylight, take your polarized sunglasses to reduce glare, glare, and sunlight.
Check your contact lenses or eyeglasses.
Eye strain worsens photophobia but can be treated by wearing clean contact lenses or glasses to avoid straining your eyes. Inflammation or itching can exacerbate light sensitivity, so ensure your lenses are clean.
Take a break away from your computer or mobile device.
Computer vision syndrome affects those who spend extended periods on digital devices, manifesting as eye strain, headaches, and light sensitivity. Take regular breaks or set aside devices occasionally to alleviate symptoms.
Eye drops
Dry eyes, particularly dry eye syndrome, can heighten photophobia, causing itching, redness, or tenderness. Over-the-counter artificial tears can lubricate and alleviate light-induced discomfort
Find ways to de-stress
Migraine-related photophobia can be associated with psychological disorders like depression and anxiety. Stress and anxiety can trigger light sensitivity and pain episodes. Engaging in relaxing activities like yoga or listening to music can help alleviate symptoms and improve overall well-being.
