Photophobia

Causes

• Dry eyes
• Uveitis (inflammation inside the eye)
• Keratitis (inflammation of the cornea, the clear layer at the front of the eye)
• Ocular Albinism (a lack of pigment in the eye that affects the eye’s ability to block light coming into the eye).
• Cataracts (cloudy patches in the lens of the eye)
• Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva, the membrane that covers the eye)
• Damage to the retina, the light-sensitive layer in the back of your eye
• Blepharospasm (a condition that makes the eyelids close uncontrollably)
• Light sensitivity may also affect people with medical conditions that affect the nervous system, as well as some mental health conditions. They’re also a very common symptom in migraines.

Symptoms Of Photophobia (Light Sensitivity)

• Squinting
• Eye strain or pain
• Headache or migraine
• Blinking excessively
• Watery eyes
• Feeling dizzy

Treatment

Treatment for light sensitivity is to address the underlying cause. Once the triggering factor is treated, Photophobia disappears in many cases.

• f a patient is naturally sensitive to light, avoid bright sunlight and other harsh lighting sources. Wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses with ultraviolet (UV) protection when outdoors in daylight. Also, consider wearing eyeglasses with photochromic lenses. These lenses darken automatically outdoors and block 100% of the sun's UV rays.
• For bright sunlight, consider polarized sunglasses. These sun lenses provide extra protection against glare-causing reflections of light from water, sand, snow, concrete roadways and other reflective surfaces.
• In an extreme case, the patient may consider wearing prosthetic contact lenses that are specially colored to look like their own eyes. Prosthetic contact lenses can reduce the amount of light that enters the eye and make the eyes more comfortable.

How To Slow It Down?

In Adults

• Wearing correct prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses.
• Follow the 20-20-20 rule, which means every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds and remember to blink.
• Option of refractive surgery do exist.

In Youngsters/Teenagers

• Wearing correct prescription eyeglasses.
• Achieving the right balance of indoor and outdoor life.
• Use of specific types of progressive lenses.
• Medications (eye drops) for kids as part of Myopia control.