Be Aware of The Possibility of Light Sensitivity Triggered By an Eye Problem
If bright light makes your eyes water, while sunglasses help them feel better. These are big clues that you are experiencing a fairly common condition known as photophobia. This is a fancy term for light sensitivity or intolerance to light. There are different degrees of photophobia. Some people are sensitive only to sunlight, and others to any type of brightness, including fluorescent or incandescent light. When experiencing this sensitivity, folks may even notice some squinting or the need to close their eyes.
Even though light sensitivity may be a minor annoyance for many people, there is the possibility of it being triggered by an eye problem (corneal abrasion) or medical condition (meningitis) that causes eye pain, soreness and severe photophobia, even in very low-lighting conditions.
To help determine the cause of your light sensitivity, take these questions seriously:
- How long has it been going on?
- Is the sensitivity constant or every now and then?
- Are dark glasses needed outside, inside or both?
- What makes it better or worse?
- Have your pupils recently been dilated with medications?
- Have you had exposure to chemicals, dust, pollen, sun or wind?
- Do you use any soaps, cosmetics or shampoo in or around your eyes?
- When did the soreness begin?
- Is the pain or sore feeling in or around your eyes?
- Does it feel as if there is something in your eyes?
- Do you have other symptoms (fever, joint aches)?
- Do your eyes burn?
- Is the pain worse when you move your eyes?
When it comes to photophobia accompanied by eye soreness or pain, there are common eye concerns to consider. These include but aren’t limited to:
- uveitis (inflammation of the inner portion of the eye)
- iritis
- conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the thin, clear membrane over the white part of the eye; the conjunctiva also lines the eyelids)
- contact-lens irritation or complication
- sunburn (yes, eyes can experience sun damage)
- refractive surgery
- migraines
- retinal detachment
- Sjogren’s Syndrome (inflammatory autoimmune disorder)
- burns to the eye (welder’s flash)
- a stye or chalazion (these can create eye pain and sensitivity as they grow)
- corneal ulcer
- a foreign body in the eye or irritation.
Causes of Photophobia that are very common
The following causes of Photophobia are diseases or medical conditions that affect more than 10 million people in the USA:
- Allergies
- Cornea disorders – Photophobia
- Corneal disorder
- Migraine – light sensitivity
- Migraine headache
Eye conditions that could cause photophobia
- Eye infection
- Eye injury
- Eye inflammation
- Conjunctivitis
- Allergies
- Iritis
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Corneal disorder
- Corneal ulcer
- Corneal abrasion
- Keratopathy
So Always prepare for the worst, and seek medical attention to rule out the causes and get early treatment if a serious eye disease is developing
