Photophobia

Photophobia is a condition in which bright lights hurt your eyes. Another name for this condition is light sensitivity. It is a common symptom that is associated with several different conditions, ranging from minor irritations to serious medical emergencies.

Mild cases make you squint in a brightly lit room or while outside. In more severe cases, this condition causes considerable pain when your eyes are exposed to almost any type of light.

Causes of Photophobia

Migraines

Photophobia is a common symptom of migraines. These are severe headaches that can be triggered by a number of factors, including hormonal changes, foods, and environmental changes. Other symptoms include throbbing in one part of your head, nausea, and vomiting. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states that more than 10 percent of people around the world have migraines. They occur three times more often in women than in men. (NINDS)

Conditions That Affect the Brain

Light sensitivity is commonly associated with a few serious conditions that affect the brain. These include:

encephalitis, which occurs when your brain is inflamed from a viral infection or other cause. Severe cases of it can be life-threatening.

meningitis, a bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The bacterial form can lead to serious complications such as brain damage, hearing loss, and seizures.

subarachnoid hemorrhage, which occurs when you have bleeding between your brain and the surrounding layers of tissue. It can be fatal or lead to brain damage or a stroke.

Conditions That Affect the Eyes

Photophobia is also common in several conditions that affect the eyes. These include:

corneal abrasion, or injury to the cornea, or the outermost layer of the eye. This type of injury is common and can happen if you get a substance like sand, dirt, or metal particles in your eyes. This can lead to a serious condition called a corneal ulcer if the cornea becomes infected.

scleritis, which occurs when the white part of your eye becomes inflamed. It mainly affects people between 30 and 60 years old. It is usually caused by diseases that affect the immune system, such as lupus. Other symptoms include eye pain, watery eyes, and blurred vision. (NLM)

conjunctivitis, also known as “pink eye,” occurs when the layer of tissue that covers the white part of your eye becomes infected or inflamed. It is mostly caused by viruses. Other causes include bacteria and allergies. Other symptoms include itching, redness, and eye pain.

dry eye syndrome, which occurs when your tear ducts cannot make enough tears or make poor quality tears. It results in your eyes being excessively dry. It is common in women and people over the age of 65. Causes include age, environmental factors, certain medical conditions, and some medications. (AOA)

When to Seek Immediate Care

Some conditions that cause sensitivity to light are considered medical emergencies. If you have this symptom and any other symptoms associated with one of these conditions, seek immediate medical care.

Corneal Abrasion

Symptoms include:

blurry vision

pain or burning in your eye

redness

the sensation that you have something in your eye

Encephalitis

Symptoms include:

severe headache

fever

being difficult to arouse

confusion

Meningitis

Symptoms include:

fever and chills

severe headache

stiff neck

nausea and vomiting

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Symptoms include:

sudden and severe headache that feels worse toward the back of your head

irritability and confusion

reduced awareness

numbness in parts of your body

Treating Photophobia

Home Treatment

Staying out of sunlight and keeping the lights dimmed inside can help make photophobia less uncomfortable. Keeping your eyes closed or covering them with dark tinted glasses can also provide relief.

Medical Treatment

Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing severe light sensitivity. Your doctor will perform a physical examination as well as an eye exam. They may also ask questions about the frequency and severity of your symptoms to determine the cause.

The type of treatment you need will depend on the underlying cause. Types of treatment include:

medications and rest for migraines

eye drops that reduce inflammation for scleritis

antibiotics for conjunctivitis

artificial tears for mild dry eye syndrome

antibiotic eye drops for corneal abrasions

anti-inflammatory medications, bed rest, and fluids for mild cases of encephalitis. Severe cases require supportive care, such as breathing assistance.

antibiotics for bacterial meningitis. The viral form often clears up on its own within one to two weeks.

surgery to remove excess blood and relieve pressure on your brain for subarachnoid hemorrhage

Preventing Photophobia

While you may not be able to prevent light sensitivity, certain behaviors can help prevent some of the conditions that can cause photophobia.

Try to avoid the triggers that cause you to have migraine headaches.

Prevent conjunctivitis by practicing good hygiene, not touching your eyes, and not sharing eye makeup.

Reduce your risk of getting meningitis by avoiding contact with people who are infected, washing your hands often, and getting immunized against bacterial meningitis.

Help prevent encephalitis by washing your hands frequently. Getting vaccinations against encephalitis and avoiding exposure to mosquitoes and ticks can also help.

Source: http://www.healthline.com