If you notice that you’re having severe discomfort during a sunny day or under the lights on your desk or living space, you might have photophobia. You might feel that you need to squint more when you feel these triggers, and you might get headaches and light sensitivity.
Believe it or not, photophobia or light sensitivity isn’t an eye disease, but is actually a symptom of many eye conditions, including inflammation or infection. Light sensitivity can also be caused by underlying conditions that aren’t directly related to your eyes, such as a viral infection or severe migraines. Also, it’s worth noting that your eye color can dictate your sensitivity to light.
People with a lighter eye color are more sensitive to light since people with darker-colored eyes have more pigment in their eyes that help protect against strong lighting. Other common causes of photophobia include uveitis, corneal abrasion and meningitis. Some remote causes include contact lens irritations, sunburn or a detached retina.
The best way to treat photophobia is to address the trigger causing it. Once the cause has been resolved, photophobia goes away on its own. If you’re on medication that helps manage your light sensitivity, we recommend consulting your eye doctor to see if you need to increase your dosage or replace your medication. However, if you’re naturally sensitive to light, try to use wide-brimmed hats or sunglasses with strong ultraviolet (UV) protection. In severe cases, you can get prosthetic contact lenses that mimic your own eyes to reduce the light that enters your eye, making you more comfortable.
For your eye care and vision therapy needs, trust in Insight Vision Center Optometry. We’re the trusted name in the field of optometry. Call us at (714) 486-3315, or fill out our contact form to learn more about our services. We assist patients in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, CA.
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