sensitivity.
Problems That Can Be Accompanied by Photophobia
Sometimes, light sensitivity is an issue that accompanies other common conditions and problems, such as:
• Dry eye syndrome
• Corneal abrasion
• Contact lens irritation
• Detached retinas
• Refractive surgery
There are also several medications that list photophobia as a common side effect, such as:
Treatments for Photophobia
Ideally, the best way to treat photophobia is to discover the underlying cause. In most cases, the underlying cause is related to eye dryness, and if the dryness can be fixed, then the light sensitivity will decrease and photophobia will disappear. In the same vein, if photophobia occurs as a result of exposure to certain medications, changing medications or stopping those medications could be helpful.
Other solutions include managing the amount of light that is allowed to enter the eye, by dimming indoor lights, closing curtains, and wearing polarized lenses outside. A prosthetic contact lens can also be used, and avoiding bright light situations entirely can help to reduce discomfort. If you are naturally sensitive to light, perhaps the only thing that you can do to address the problem is protect your eyes from light exposure wherever possible, such as using sunglasses with UV protection.
Importantly, in certain cases, it will not be possible to prevent photophobia from happening. For example, if you simply have larger pupils, then there is nothing you can do to fix the issue. However, even in these situations, there are steps that can be taken to reduce your light sensitivity. For example, some experts recommend taking vitamins and eating foods with high antioxidant levels to help reduce the chances of vitamin A deficiency, which is an issue that regularly leads to photophobia. At the same time, it may be worth adding omega-3 to your diet to help reduce the chances of suffering from dry eye syndrome.
Similarly, it’s a good idea to visit eye experts whenever you begin to notice any symptoms, as they may be able to help you treat any underlying conditions that could be contributing to your light sensitivity.
Resources and References:
Light sensitivity (photophobia) – General information about light sensitivity, and what kind of support you can get. (Royal National Institute of Blind People)
Photophobia Symptoms & Signs – Information about the symptoms typically associated with photophobia. (MedicineNet.com)
Light Sensitivity – Data about the problem of light sensitivity – including an explanation of what photophobia is. (MyEyes.com)
Do You Know the Signs of an Eye Emergency? – A guide to symptoms which may indicate the presence of an eye-related emergency in patients and people suffering from dry eyes or photophobia. (HealthMonitor.com)