Also called photophobia, light sensitivity is a condition where a person feels eye pain following exposure to bright light. Patients also often need to close or squint their eyes and get headaches. Some people only experience symptoms after seeing harsh light while others feel discomfort in all kinds of light.
Continue reading to learn more about this condition.
While photophobia isn’t an eye disease, it can occur due to inflammation or infection affecting the eyes. It could also occur due to migraine or a disease caused by a virus. Uveitis, corneal abrasion and certain central nervous system disorders can also cause light sensitivity.
Individuals with lighter-colored eyes are more likely to suffer from photophobia, especially when exposed to direct sunlight. Their eyes contain less pigment that protects against harsh light than people with dark-colored eyes. Light sensitivity also tends to come with albinism, complete color deficiency, rabies, botulism, conjunctivitis, mercury poisoning, iritis and cornea inflammation.
Your eye doctor would need to address the underlying cause of photophobia to treat it. Many times, the condition gets better after treating what caused it. Keep in mind that certain medications can trigger light sensitivity. If a drug you are taking causes photophobia, speak to your doctor about changing your prescription.
People who are born with sensitivity to light should stay away from places where there is harsh light. It would help to wear ultraviolet (UV) blocking sunglasses and a brimmed hat when going outside during the day. If you wear prescription eyeglasses, consider photochromic eyeglasses that darken when exposed to UV light. Polarized sunglasses are a great option for people who love doing outdoor and snow activities.
At Alderwood Optical & Canyon Park Vision Clinic, we’re here to help you choose the ideal eyewear for your needs. Call us at (425) 771-8472 (Lynnwood) or (425) 485-0430 (Bothell). You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.