Causes for Photophobia Light Sensitivity, Eye Sensitivity to Light, Light Sensitive Eyes
Photophobia means you experience light sensitivity. Your eyes are sensitive to light because they don’t adapt to changing light conditions.
Photophobia painful oversensitivity to light can be caused by sunlight or artificial light. You’ll likely feel the desire to squint or close your eyes. And your eye sensitivity may induce headaches.
Usually light sensitive eyes are only bothered by bright lights. However, a rare few can be irritated by low light or any light. Eye conditions, diseases, injuries or infections may be a cause for light sensitivity photophobia, such as:
- uveitis
- dry eyes
- cataracts
- chalazion
- glaucoma
- blepharitis
- episcleritis
- asthenopia
- conjunctivitis
- optic neuritis
- ocular herpes
- relapsing fever
- blepharospasm
- retinal diseases
- vitreous disease
- retinal detachment
- Herpes simplex keratitis
- corneal diseases, abrasion, ulcer
Wearing your contact lenses too much or wearing ill fitting ones can give rise eye sensitivity to light.
Some health conditions that may be causing your eyes to be sensitive to light include:
- rabies
- measles
- albinism
- allergies
- hangover
- migraines
- meningitis
- trichinosis
- depression
- head injury
- encephalitis
- Hib infection
- pituitary tumors
- mercury poisoning
- subarachnoid hemorrhage
Drugs can cause light sensitivity as a side effect, like:
- cocaine
- amphetamines
- barbiturate abuse
- quinine ~ malaria
- furosemide ~ diuretic
- idoxuridine ~ eye virus infection
- scopolamine ~ motion sickness
- tropicamide ~ uveitis, eye dilation
- trifluridine, vidarabine ~ herpes simplex keratitis
- atropine, cyclopentolate, phenylephrine ~ eye dilation
- tetracycline ~ bacterial infections (pneumonia, respiratory tract infections), acne, skin infections, stomach ulcers, Lyme disease, inhalation anthrax exposure
Eye dilation for eye testing causes temporary photophobia.
Photophobia is not always caused by an associated eye problem or underlying health condition. However, you should see your health provider for a potential diagnosis of what’s causing your light sensitive eyes. And its treatment may cure your problem.
Common sense approaches for the discomfort of light sensitivity is avoid sunlight, close your eyes, wear dark glasses or darken the room.
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