Photophobia
Symptoms
- Eye strain
- Frequent blinking
- Tearful eyes
Diagnostics
Determined by routine eye examination
Treatment
- Tinted glasses
- Wearing a hat
- Eye surgery
What is photophobia?
Photophobia literally means “fear of light”, but it is not a true phobia, but a symptom of light intolerance, also known as photosensitivity. Photophobia is usually a symptom of another condition that causes discomfort, sometimes pain, when the eye is exposed to bright sunlight, and some people may feel discomfort even in moderate artificial light.
What are the symptoms of photophobia?
Symptoms of photophobia are slightly different for everyone, but the most common symptoms are:
- Repentance;
- Eye strain or pain;
- Headaches or migraines;
- Frequent blinking;
- Tearful eyes;
- Dizziness.
Sudden onset of photosensitivity may be a sign of a more serious condition, such as meningitis, so you should see your GP as soon as possible if you have sudden onset of symptoms.
What causes photophobia?
There are several causes that can lead to photophobia as a symptom, including:
- Dry eyes;
- Uveitis (inflammation of the eye);
- Keratitis (inflammation of the cornea, the clear layer of the eye);
- Ocular albinism (a pigment deficiency in the eye that affects the eye’s ability to block light from entering the eye);
- Cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye);
- Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva, the membrane covering the eye);
- Damage to the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye;
- Blepharospasm (a condition where your eyelids close uncontrollably).
How is photophobia treated?
As photophobia is a symptom of another disease, treatment will be related to treating that disease. Successful treatment of the underlying condition that causes photophobia will also reduce photosensitivity. The doctor may prescribe tests in addition to examination and questions:
- Slit-lamp eye examination;
- Tear film test;
- Neurological examination;
- MRI brain scan.
What help is available?
The treatment of photophobia focuses on treating the disease that caused it. With continued treatment, the sensitivity to light will decrease. However, we recommend that you take additional measures to reduce or avoid the unpleasant sensations caused by photophobia:
- Wear a hat, cap and sunglasses when outdoors to eliminate reflections;
- Avoid fluorescent bulbs in the room;
- Turn down the brightness of electronic devices such as TVs, phones and computers;
- Avoid wearing dark glasses indoors, as constant darkness increases light sensitivity.
Take care of your eyes!
Visit your nearest Optikos pasaulio showroom or register for an ophthalmologist consultation at Familia Clinica in Vilnius (Nemenčinės pl. 4D) and get a 15% discount with your Optikos pasaulio loyalty card.
Frequently asked questions
Ar fotofobija išgydoma?
Kadangi daugelis fotofobijos atvejų atsiranda dėl kitos priežasties, gydymas bus susijęs su tos būklės pašalinimu, kuris savo ruožtu sumažins ir jautrumą šviesai. Pavyzdžiui, jeigu fotofobiją sukelia migrena Jums gali prireikti nereceptinio arba receptinio migrenos gydymo. Deja, ne visas akių ligas galima gydyti. Jei jūsų akių būklė negali būti gydoma mediciniškai, tai susidoroti su jautrumu šviesai ir akinimu gali padėti ir kitos priemonės pvz., specialūs akinių lęšiai.
Kaip suvaldyti fotofobiją?
Neįmanoma visiškai užkirsti kelio fotofobijai, tačiau yra keletas dalykų, kurie gali Jums padėti, pavyzdžiui, palaikykite gerą akių sveikatos būklę, kad išvengtumėte su fotofobija susijusių akių ligų, taip pat, venkite migreną provokuojančių veiksnių. Pasikonsultuokite su akių specialistu apie lęšių tipus Jūsų akiniams, kurie padėtų koreguoti jautrumą šviesai.
Kas yra fotofobija?
Fotofobija yra šviesos netoleravimo simptomas, dar žinomas kaip jautrumas šviesai.
