Photophobia, or light sensitivity, is inability to tolerate bright lights. Bright lights such as sunlight, fluorescent bulbs and tubes, and incandescent lights can cause discomfort. You also either squint or close your eyes because of the dazzle. You may also get a headache, along with light sensitivity.
Light-sensitive people usually can’t tolerate bright light. In extreme cases, however, even dim to normal light may become intolerable.
What causes Light Sensitivity?
Photophobia is not a disease. It is only a symptom of eye diseases.
- This irritation may be due to an infection or inflammation. Some common causes of photophobia include dry eyes, corneal abrasion or ulcer, cataract, uveitis and papillary conjunctivitis.
- Certain CNS illnesses like meningitis and migraine headaches may also be accompanied by light sensitivity.
- Photophobia often accompanies albinism(lack of eye pigment), and colour blindness. If you have light coloured eyes, you may experience more light sensitivity, since dark coloured eyes have more protective pigment. This pigment helps protect against harsh light.
- Some drugs may cause light sensitivity as a side effect. These include belladonna, furosemide, quinine, tetracycline and doxycycline.
Treatment
Your doctor will address the underlying cause, so that your symptoms become better, or disappear. This may require an accurate diagnosis and treatment of the reason behind your photophobia.
If you are taking a drug that can cause light sensitivity, your prescribing physician will discontinue or replace the medication.
Some of us are naturally sensitive to light, and struggle in bright lights, despite being otherwise healthy. If you’re one of these, here are some helpful tips:
- Avoid bright sunlight and harsh lights.
- Wear wide-brimmed hats and scarves to protect your eyes.
- Use sunglasses with UV protection when stepping outdoors in the sun. Also, you can consider wearing glasses with photochromic lenses, powered sunglasses if you need glasses for vision correction.
- You may also consider polarised sunglasses, which provide extra protection against glare-causing reflections. They are especially helpful outdoors to ward off glare from water, snow, and roadways.
