Why does the light bother me so much?

You may have ever wondered why light bothers you when it is very sunny on a bright summer day or in bright situations, such as at the beach and in the mountains. This is usually a normal situation but when it comes to acute photophobia we see the symptom underneath a specific ocular cause.

Why does photophobia occur?

Photophobia can occur for several reasons. Firstly, having light eyes is a genetic factor that influences the fact of having more sensitivity to light, especially in albino people. The reason is that the lower pigmentation of the iris, as opposed to dark eyes, allows more light to pass through.

On the other hand, some ocular pathologies can also be related to photophobia:

  • Photokeratitis and photoconjunctivitis, diseases or processes produced by inflammation of the conjunctiva.
  • Uveitis, which produces inflammation of the middle layer of the eye.
  • Glaucoma, which is a pathology related to an increase in intraocular pressure, which will cause loss of vision.
  • Dry eye, which is caused by a chronic lack of lubrication in the eye. It is annoying and one of the most frequent consultations in Ophthalmology.
  • Retinal detachment.
  • Cataracts, where the opacification of the crystalline lens affects vision and one of the main symptoms it causes is sensitivity to light. It is a problem that appears with age and is only treatable with femtosecond laser cataract surgery. During the procedure, the crystalline lens is replaced by an intraocular lens that is adapted to the patient’s needs.
Read Now đŸ‘‰  How to deal with lazy eye, the most frequent ocular pathology in children

What are the symptoms of photophobia?

Photophobia produces a series of symptoms:

  • Itching and tearing.
  • Blurred vision.
  • Stiffness in the neck.
  • Reddening of the eyes.
  • Nausea and dizziness.
  • headache

How is photophobia treated?

The treatment of photophobia depends on the cause, and it will be the specialist in Ophthalmology who will detect the problem.

In the presence of light sensitivity symptoms, it is recommended to reduce the brightness of the place to alleviate the discomfort it produces in the eyes. Outside, dark glasses may be useful and at home, lower the blinds.

The main measure to avoid discomfort and swollen eyes is to use properly approved sunglasses at all times of the year. However, if the discomfort persists, it is important to see an ophthalmologist to determine the cause and prescribe the appropriate treatment.