Photophobia - Causes and Management

Introduction

Light sensitivity is a state in which bright lights harm the eyes. Another name for this situation is photophobia. It is a common symptom associated with several conditions, varying from minor irritations to severe medical crises. Mild cases make people blink in a brightly illuminated room or while outside. In severe cases, this state causes significant pain when the eyes are exposed to almost any light. However, other symptomatic management for photophobia includes wearing eyeglasses with a rose tint, called FL-41 is also effective. Preventive steps of photophobia include allowing more additional natural light indoors while toning down the shine of lighting in electronic devices.

What Is Photophobia?

Photophobia is characterized by increased sensitivity to light, which can sometimes cause pain or avoidance. People with photophobia feel that normal light is too bright. Migraine headaches and dry eyes are common reasons for photophobia. Other causes include conditions impacting the neurological system, mental health, and eyes. The treatment of photophobia concentrates on managing the underlying cause.

What Are the Causes of Photophobia?

Photophobia is caused by various medications and is a sign of some conditions. In addition, it is also observed that certain types of lighting can trigger photophobia. Some conditions are mentioned below, where photophobia is one of the symptoms. Specific conditions that affect the neurological system, the eyes, and mental health cause photophobia.

Neurological Conditions:

Migraine headaches are the most typical neurological condition that can cause photophobia, as this condition occurs in most people with headaches. It occurs during the headaches as well as between them. The American migraine foundation (AMF) states that photophobia is so common in people with migraine headaches that it is one-factor doctors use to diagnose migraines.

Other neurological situations that can cause photophobia are mentioned below.

• Blepharospasm: This term represents eyelids' involuntary blinking, closure, and squeezing.

• Traumatic brain injuries are severe injuries to the brain that impact how it works.

• Meningitis: This state affects the inflammation of the brain's protective covering.

Eye Conditions:

One of the most familiar eye conditions that may cause photophobia is dry eyes. This happens when an individual's tear production is insufficient to supply optimal lubrication.

Other eye conditions causing photophobia are mentioned below.

• Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva is the tissue covering the white parts of the eye)

• Corneal disease is the word for diseases affecting the cornea (the tissue covering the iris and pupil).

• Optic neuritis is an optic nerve inflammatory condition.

• Uveitis is an inflammation that occurs inside the eye.

• Autoimmune disorders.

Psychological Conditions:

Several psychological conditions causing photophobia are mentioned below.

• Agoraphobia is the fear of crowds or exiting one's home.

• Depression.

• Anxiety.

• Panic disorders.

Medications:

Photophobia can be a side effect of some medications. Such medications are mentioned below.

• Benzodiazepines (antianxiety drugs) such as Diazepam.

• Barbiturates (drugs that produce sedation), such as Amobarbital.

• Haloperidol is used to treat mental health disorders.

• Chloroquine (antimalarial drug).

Triggers of Photophobia:

The AMF states that fluorescent lights may trigger photophobia. In addition, the vestibular disorders association (VeDA) also states that fluorescent lights may trigger photophobia.

What Are the Symptoms of Photophobia?

Photophobia can cause pain and physical discomfort in the eye. It may also provoke avoidance, from the feeling that normal light is overly bright. The avoidance reaction exhibits various symptoms.

• Squinting (eyes that look in various directions).

• Frequent blinking.

• Finding intense sunlight or indoor light is irritating.

An individual with photophobia may intend to look for the following conditions.

• Foggy days over sunny days.

• Dimly lighted rooms over brightly light rooms.

• Going out after dark rather than daytime.

How to Diagnose Photophobia?

Evaluating the presence and severity of photophobia is critical in diagnosing individuals with photophobia. Therefore, doctors base a diagnosis on findings from the following diagnostic tools.

• History of symptoms.

• Past medical history evaluation.

• Examination of the eyes.

• Neurological examination in case of photophobia due to neurological disorders.

• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) if needed.

How to Treat Photophobia?

The treatment of photophobia is focused primarily on symptomatic relief. It is observed that systemic medication can ease photophobia and its symptoms. If the disease or any conditions causing the photophobia improves, the photophobia may also decrease. This approach may involve medications. Some of the medications used to treat photophobia are mentioned below.

• Triptans, such as Sumatriptan, are medicines for migraine headaches that calm overactive pain nerves.

• Botulinum toxin (Botox) is used to treat blepharospasm.

• Benzodiazepines, such as Diazepam, are used to reduce anxiety

• Artificial tears, gels, and ointments for treating dry eyes.

• Uveitis can be treated with steroid eye drops.

• Using eyeglasses in a rose-colored tint called FL-41 may help some individuals by blocking blue-light wavelengths.

How to Prevent and Manage Photophobia?

Some preventive measures can be followed to prevent and manage photophobia. The vestibular disorders association (VeDA) recommends that someone can take steps to reduce or control photophobia. Some preventive measures are mentioned below.

• Wearing a hat.

• Cap or glare-reducing sunglasses can be used outdoors.

• Allowing as much natural light indoors.

• Avoiding fluorescent lights indoors.

• Diminishing the brightness in electronic devices, including televisions, phones, and computers.

• Avoiding wearing sunglasses indoors.

• Using specialized lenses (filter the most disturbing light wavelengths).

• In addition, the AMF recommends slowly exposing to light to increase tolerance. This could involve sitting close to a workplace or home window. It may also support using light bulbs that radiate only green light because green is the light wavelength that does not trigger a migraine.

Conclusion

Photophobia is a sensitivity to light, which can cause eye pain or a phobic response to a bright lighted area. It is one of the signs that may occur in quite a few situations that affect the neurological system, eyes, and mental health. In addition, photophobia can occur as a side effect of some medications. Some triggers of photophobia are fluorescent light, flickering light, and light in striped patterns. Therefore, the primary purpose of treatment involves alleviating the condition causing the photophobia. In addition, some preventive measures can be followed to prevent and manage photophobia.