Light Sensitivity: Causes, Treatment and Management

Also known as photophobia, light sensitivity causes a person to feel eye pain when exposed to bright lights. Millions of people suffer from this condition worldwide. It can be a symptom of mild irritation or even a medical emergency. Keep in mind that photosensitivity is not the same as photophobia. The former pertains to all kinds of reactions to light exposure while the latter refers to eye pain resulting from intense light exposure. 

If you experience constant eye pain, it’s best to visit your local eye clinic for proper diagnosis and treatment. Continue reading to learn more about light sensitivity. 

What Causes Light Sensitivity?

You can experience photophobia after exposure to direct sunlight, incandescent light or fluorescent light. It can come with headaches along with the feeling of having to squint or close your eyes. Some people only feel discomfort under bright lights, while others feel pain from any light.

Here are some of the most common causes of light sensitivity.

Dry Eye

Around 40 million people in the world have dry eye syndrome. It occurs when your eyes do not produce sufficient quality tears for lubrication and nourishment. Eye redness, a feeling of having a foreign object in the eyes, and blurred vision are common symptoms of this condition. Patients might also suffer from a stinging sensation in the eyes, challenges wearing contact lenses and light sensitivity. Around 3/4 of all the individuals with dry eye report experiencing light sensitivity or photophobia. 

Cataracts

A cloudy spot in the eye’s lens is a cataract. It usually develops in older adults, and more than half of Americans older than 80 have this eye condition. A common symptom of cataracts is light sensitivity. It causes pain in patients, especially people with subcapsular cataracts. This form of the cataract begins at the back of the lens.

Migraines

It is not uncommon for people with migraine to endure photophobia. Stress and changes in hormone levels or the environment can trigger migraines and headaches. Pulsing pain in one area of your head, nausea and vomiting are typical symptoms of this condition. At least 10% of the global population has migraines, and more females than males get them.

Corneal Abrasion

Injury in the outermost layer of the eye can result in corneal abrasion. It can occur when a foreign object invades your eye, including sand, metal pieces and dirt. When not addressed immediately, it can lead to a corneal ulcer, which is a vision-threatening condition due to an infection of the cornea. You must see an eye specialist immediately if you think you have a corneal abrasion. 

Conjunctivitis

Pink eye or conjunctivitis refers to an inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva, which is the transparent membrane that lines and covers the white part of the eye. The tiny blood vessels in the conjunctiva look more apparent when inflamed. It’s what causes the whites of the eye to look pink or red. 

This condition can occur because of viral or bacterial infection, partially opened tear duct or allergies. Besides redness, patients can also suffer from eye grittiness, itchiness and tearing. Discharge can come from one or both eyes and form a crust at night, making the eyes difficult to open in the morning. Moreover, light sensitivity is sometimes associated with conjunctivitis. 

Scleritis

The white part of your eye is called the sclera. Scleritis occurs when the sclera is red, swollen, tender and painful. This eye condition is often associated with an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. It can be related to eye infection, arthritis, granulomatosis, scleroderma and eye injury or trauma. In rare cases, a parasite or fungus can cause scleritis. Apart from eye redness, tenderness, tearing and blurred vision, patients might also suffer from extreme light sensitivity. 

Meningitis

Meningitis is where the protective membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord gets infected. It usually happens in infants, young children, teenagers and young adults, but can develop at any age. Without immediate treatment, it can result in serious consequences. It can cause permanent brain or nerve damage and blood poisoning. 

Fever, headaches, stiff neck, a rash that doesn’t disappear when rolled over with glass and drowsiness are common symptoms of this condition. A person with meningitis may become drowsy or unresponsive and have seizures. They can also shy away from bright lights because they cause discomfort. 

Encephalitis

Bacterial or viral infection, autoimmune inflammation, insect bites and bacterial infection are common causes of encephalitis. Mild to severe flu-like symptoms can occur in patients, but sometimes, no symptoms are present. Encephalitis can cause confusion, vision and hearing problems, and seizures. 

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Bleeding in the space surrounding the brain is called a subarachnoid hemorrhage. It often occurs when an aneurysm on the brain’s surface ruptures and leaks. The built-up blood around the brain and inside the skull can increase brain pressure. It can damage the brain cells and cause long-term complications and disabilities. 

Someone with a subarachnoid hemorrhage might become unconscious, nauseous, incoherent, confused and sensitive to light. It can cause double vision, severe headaches, drooping eyelids, stiff neck and seizures. Meanwhile, a brain aneurysm is characterized by pain surrounding the eye, dilated pupils, vision changes, weakness on one side of the body, seizures and memory issues. 

Certain Medications

There are medicines and supplements with ingredients that cause light sensitivity. Sometimes, they can also affect the skin, causing burns, rash, scaling or swelling when exposed to sunlight. Antihistamines, quinine, sulfonamides, furosemide, tetracycline, tricyclic anti-depressants and non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are some medications that can cause photophobia. 

What Are Your Treatment Options?

Experts often deal with the underlying condition that causes photophobia to treat it. You will need to see a specialist to determine what’s causing your light sensitivity. For instance, during an eyeglass or contact eye exam, your doctor might discover you have dry eye. Artificial tears can help with mild dry eye syndrome. 

You could be requested to rest and take medications if you have migraines. People with scleritis might be given eye drops for inflammation while conjunctivitis patients might be prescribed antibiotics. For subarachnoid hemorrhage, surgeons will remove excess blood and reduce pressure on the brain.

Doctors often prescribe antibiotic eye drops for corneal abrasions. Bacterial meningitis usually goes away on its own within two weeks. Then, there’s encephalitis, which requires bed rest, fluids and anti-inflammatory for mild cases. 

What Can You Do About It?

Lifestyle changes can relieve and help avoid light sensitivity. Experts suggest waiting for a few moments when going from one area to another that differs in light levels. When heading outdoors, make sure to wear sunglasses to avoid discomfort. You can wear polarized sunglasses that minimize glare from the sun. Another option is to get glasses with photochromic lenses that darken when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Wrap-around frame style keeps light better from getting into the sides of your eyes. 

While you can’t prevent photophobia, your habits can help you avoid its symptoms. If you suffer from migraine headaches, avoid things that can trigger them. To lower the risk of meningitis, don’t come near infected patients and wash your hands frequently. It’s also vital to get vaccinated against bacterial meningitis. 

Good hygiene is essential to the prevention of conjunctivitis and encephalitis. Never share your eye makeup, and keep your hands off your eyes. Immunization against encephalitis and staying away from mosquitoes and ticks can help prevent it.