Light sensitivity can be caused by migraine, dry eye, eye inflammation, or concussion. Get urgent care if it comes with fever, stiff neck, or sudden eye pain.
Name
Photophobia.
Causes
- Migraine (up to 80% of migraine sufferers).
- Dry eye.
- Eye inflammation (uveitis).
- Corneal abrasion.
- Concussion.
- Meningitis.
Relief
Dark glasses and rest.
See an eye doctor
If persistent.
Emergency
Light sensitivity with fever, stiff neck, severe headache or eye injury. Call 911.
Name and causes
Light sensitivity is photophobia. Causes include migraine (affecting up to 80 percent of people with migraine during attacks), dry eye, eye infection or inflammation (conjunctivitis, uveitis, keratitis), corneal abrasion, concussion, meningitis, certain medications (doxycycline, tetracyclines) and eye dilation after an exam.
- Blue light and fluorescent lighting trigger discomfort in many with photophobia.
- Wearing tinted lenses (such as FL-41 rose-colored glasses) helped migraine-related sensitivity in studies.
- Albinism and some retinal diseases cause chronic light sensitivity.
Relief and emergencies
Wear sunglasses outdoors, use lower screen brightness, use artificial tears and treat the underlying cause. Avoid wearing sunglasses constantly indoors, which can increase sensitivity over time. See an eye doctor for pain, redness, vision changes or persistent sensitivity. Seek emergency care for photophobia with fever, stiff neck, severe headache or confusion, since meningitis is possible.
Name and causes
Light sensitivity is photophobia. Causes include migraines, dry eye, eye inflammation (uveitis), corneal abrasion, concussion, meningitis and some medicines.
Relief and emergencies
Sunglasses and dim lighting help. Seek emergency care for light sensitivity with fever, stiff neck, severe headache or eye pain.
Photophobia and its causes
Light sensitivity (photophobia) is an abnormal discomfort from light. It is a classic symptom of migraine, affecting up to 80 percent of migraine sufferers, and also of meningitis, concussion, dry eye, uveitis, corneal abrasion, conjunctivitis and some drug side effects, for example from doxycycline.
Evaluation and care
Sudden severe light sensitivity with fever, stiff neck and headache needs emergency care because of possible meningitis. Eye pain and redness with vision change need same day eye review. Management includes treating the underlying condition, wearing sunglasses outdoors, using lower screen brightness and lubricating drops for dry eyes. FL-41 tinted lenses may reduce migraine related sensitivity. Avoid wearing dark glasses indoors all the time, since that can increase sensitivity.
Based on data from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Migraine Foundation
