Photophobia
Symptoms
- Eye strain
- Frequent blinking
- Tearful eyes
Diagnostics
Determined by routine eye examination
Treatment
- Tinted glasses
- Wearing a hat
- Eye surgery
What is photophobia?
Photophobia literally means “fear of light”, but it is not a true phobia, but a symptom of light intolerance, also known as photosensitivity. Photophobia is usually a symptom of another condition that causes discomfort, sometimes pain, when the eye is exposed to bright sunlight, and some people may feel discomfort even in moderate artificial light.
What are the symptoms of photophobia?
Symptoms of photophobia are slightly different for everyone, but the most common symptoms are:
- Repentance;
- Eye strain or pain;
- Headaches or migraines;
- Frequent blinking;
- Tearful eyes;
- Dizziness.
Sudden onset of photosensitivity may be a sign of a more serious condition, such as meningitis, so you should see your GP as soon as possible if you have sudden onset of symptoms.
What causes photophobia?
There are several causes that can lead to photophobia as a symptom, including:
- Dry eyes;
- Uveitis (inflammation of the eye);
- Keratitis (inflammation of the cornea, the clear layer of the eye);
- Ocular albinism (a pigment deficiency in the eye that affects the eye’s ability to block light from entering the eye);
- Cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye);
- Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva, the membrane covering the eye);
- Damage to the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye;
- Blepharospasm (a condition where your eyelids close uncontrollably).
How is photophobia treated?
As photophobia is a symptom of another disease, treatment will be related to treating that disease. Successful treatment of the underlying condition that causes photophobia will also reduce photosensitivity. The doctor may prescribe tests in addition to examination and questions:
- Slit-lamp eye examination;
- Tear film test;
- Neurological examination;
- MRI brain scan.
What help is available?
The treatment of photophobia focuses on treating the disease that caused it. With continued treatment, the sensitivity to light will decrease. However, we recommend that you take additional measures to reduce or avoid the unpleasant sensations caused by photophobia:
- Wear a hat, cap and sunglasses when outdoors to eliminate reflections;
- Avoid fluorescent bulbs in the room;
- Turn down the brightness of electronic devices such as TVs, phones and computers;
- Avoid wearing dark glasses indoors, as constant darkness increases light sensitivity.
Take care of your eyes!
Visit your nearest Optikos pasaulio showroom or register for an ophthalmologist consultation at Familia Clinica in Vilnius (Nemenčinės pl. 4D) and get a 15% discount with your Optikos pasaulio loyalty card.
Frequently asked questions
Is photophobia curable?
Since many cases of photophobia are due to another cause, treatment will involve eliminating the condition, which in turn will reduce the sensitivity to light. For example, if your photophobia is caused by migraines you may need over-the-counter or prescription treatment for migraines. Unfortunately, not all eye diseases can be treated. If your eye condition cannot be treated medically, other measures such as special spectacle lenses can help you cope with light sensitivity and glare
How to manage photophobia?
It is not possible to completely prevent photophobia, but there are some things that can help, such as maintaining good eye health to avoid photophobia-related eye diseases and avoiding migraine triggers. Consult an eye specialist about the types of lenses for your glasses to help correct light sensitivity.
What is photophobia?
Photophobia is a symptom of light intolerance, also known as photosensitivity.
