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conditions > Photophobia
Photophobia
What is Photophobia?
Photophobia is a condition where the eye is unusually sensitive
to light, and is often a symptom of associated disorders
or disease (e.g., corneal inflammation, aphakia, iritis,
or ocular albinism).
Causes of Photophobia
Photophobia is usually caused by the iris being unable to
reduce enough of the light entering the eye.
Photophobia can be a symptom of an underlying problem,
such as a corneal abrasion, uveitis, meningitis.
Photophobia can be caused by some drugs which cause the
pupil to dilate, for example amphetamines and antihistamines,
cannabis and cocaine, atropine, scopolamine, mydriotics and
cycloplegics*
and strychnine).
Diagnosis of Photophobia
The main symptom of photophobia is sensitivity to and discomfort
from bright light.
Headaches can often accompany photophobia.
Treatments for Photophobia
Inorder to resolve the light sensitivity or photophobia
in the patient, the underlying cause needs to be treated.
Patients taking
medication
cauing light sensitivity may need to consider changing
their medication.
Patients with sensitivity to light will need to avoid bright
light and may choose to wear sun glasses.
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