What is Sensitive To Light?

Sensitive to light is the inability to tolerate light, medically called photophobia. In a person sensitive to light, any type of light source (sunlight, fluorescent light, incandescent light) can cause discomfort. Photophobia usually results in the need to squint or close your eyes, and headaches, nausea, or other symptoms may be associated with photophobia. Symptoms can be worse with bright light. People with light eyes are more likely to be sensitive to bright light than those with darker eyes. Several conditions that affect the eye cause sensitivity (such as iritis, uveitis, and keratitis), and conditions that affect the entire body. Migraine is a common cause of photophobia, with most people with migraines reporting sensitivity to light.

Causes

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 is a severe headache that triggers sensitivity to light. Chronic and sporadic migraines are two types of migraines, which have enormous possibilities of creating sensitivity to light. People with chronic migraines are more sensitive to light than people with sporadic migraines. It is proven that almost 80% of people with migraines suffer from 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 both the cornea and the eye.

Dry eyes

The condition in which tears cannot provide adequate moisture is called dry eyes. The rapid decrease in moisture and lubrication on the surface of the eye causes dry eyes. This paves the way for photophobia. If dry eyes are left untreated, it can lead to ulcers and scarring on the cornea, and can even reach the extent of vision loss.

Blepharospasm

Blepharospasm, also known as ocular dystonia, is an excruciating pain from muscle contraction around the eye. This often happens due to the poor transmission of messages from the brain to the muscles around the eye. Blepharospasm is known to be a neurological movement disorder, which requires compulsory medication. Symptoms of this disorder are frequently blinking and eye irritation. One study shows that four out of five patients with blepharospasm suffer from photophobia.

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

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:

Treatment

When to visit a Doctor?

If you have mild light sensitivity, you can probably self-manage with sunglasses and avoid brightly lit areas. But it's important to note that light sensitivity could be a symptom of an underlying health problem. It is therefore recommended to make an appointment with an ophthalmologist to rule out any serious illness.

Some conditions that cause sensitivity to light are medical emergencies. If you notice that sensitivity to light occurs along with other sudden and severe symptoms, it is recommended that you seek immediate medical attention. The concomitant symptoms vary depending on the underlying condition. See an ophthalmologist as soon as possible if your sensitivity to light shows up with any of the following symptoms:

Prevention

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:

Home Remedies

Gradually increase light exposure

You cannot hide in the dark or cover your eyes with sunglasses indoors. This practice can make you more sensitive to light. Keeping the lights on, even at lower levels, is an important step in alleviating the problem.

Get rid of fluorescent bulbs

Fluorescent lighting has invisible flicker and a significant amount of blue light, both of which can worsen photophobia and light sensitivity conditions. LED bulbs, especially with warm color tones, can be a great alternative and natural lighting.

Open your blinds fully

Striped, high contrast light patterns have been shown to exacerbate an overactive brain. Opening or closing your shades fully can eliminate the scattered light and touch your eyes in unexpected ways.

Check your medications

While there isn't a definitive list of medications that cite photophobia as a side effect, some optometrists and healthcare professionals have associated it with common medications used to treat other conditions.

Wear Polarized Sunglasses Outdoors

If you must go in daylight, be sure to take your polarized sunglasses to reduce glare, glare, and sunlight.

Check your contact lenses or eyeglasses

Eye strain is a major contributor to worsening photophobia, but it can often be easily treated by wearing your contact lenses or eyeglasses. This way you don't have to strain your eyes to concentrate. But make sure your contact lenses are clean, as inflammation, red eyes, and itching can also make your sensitivity to light more pronounced.

Take a break away from your computer or mobile device

Computer vision syndrome is a real health problem for people who spend all day on a computer or mobile device. Eye strain, headaches, and sensitivity to light can all be signs. Take periodic eye breaks from your device or, heck, even put it down for a while if you can.

Eye drops

Dry eyes can also lead to higher levels of photophobia, especially if you are diagnosed with dry eye syndrome. At a minimum, eyes that lack moisture can lead to itching, redness, or generalized tenderness. Over-the-counter artificial eye drops and tears can keep them lubricated and ease the pain of light.

Find ways to de-stress

Migraine photophobia is often linked to other psychological disorders, including depression and anxiety. Although the exact cause remains unknown, stress and anxiety can trigger episodes or seizures and lead to pain in a person sensitive to light. Whether it's yoga or other exercises, listening to music, or watching your favorite TV show, finding your happy place can make a big difference in how you feel.