Photophobia or light shyness refers to an increased sensitivity of the eyes to light. Other synonyms for it are: Light hypersensitivity, and Photosensitive eyes. This is usually daylight, but artificial lighting can also be perceived as disturbing. Therefore, affected people often seek dark rooms to escape the light stimulus.
What is photophobia?
Photosensitivity collectively refers to all human conditions that result from exposure to natural or artificial light. Photosensitivity is collectively referred to as all human diseases that result from exposure to natural or artificial light. The symptoms are manifold. In the neurological sense, photosensitivity is synonymous with the so-called photosensitivity, the increased readiness of the brain to react to light influences, which leads to the discharge of nerve cells up to epileptic seizures. In some cases, photosensitivity also occurs due to medicinal factors, or it is photodermatitis, in which the skin in particular is sensitive to light.
Causes
Photophobia or photophobia generally occurs in neurologic diseases. However, other diseases, such as migraine, meningitis, and eye inflammation (conjunctivitis, iridocyclitis), can also cause photophobia. Other possible causes may include: Cataracts, inflammation of the optic nerves, corneal inflammation, corneal scarring after corneal infections, scratches in or on the eye, ocular surface injuries, and dry eyes. If the light also causes pain (light pain), there may be an inflammation of the iris. In this case, a consultation with an ophthalmologist is necessary. More rarely, photophobia occurs in infants and toddlers, because it can be caused by congenital glaucoma. Likewise, most albinos have a pronounced photophobia. There is no general cause for photosensitivity. However, if one looks at the exact symptoms, one can draw conclusions and identify at least one possible cause complex. Light sensitivity is often mentioned in connection with vision. This refers to discomfort and pain caused by too bright light or headaches that result from it. Such symptoms occur concomitantly with others, for example, meningitis. In rare cases, they can also be the sign of a brain tumor. In most cases, however, the underlying cause is a cold, which also affects the eyes and makes them sensitive, especially to artificial light. Neuronal disorders that make people sensitive to light can also affect the eyes, but are manifested mainly by headaches or epileptic seizures due to exposure to light. If there are changes on the skin due to light, again other causes come into question. St. John’s wort preparations for depression are among the medications that react to sunlight on the skin and cause discomfort. However, deeper-lying diseases are also possible, such as lupus autoimmune disease.
Diseases with this symptom
- Meningitis
- Migraine
- Common cold
- Iritis
- Uveitis
- Aniridia
- Conjunctivitis
- Cataract
- Epilepsy
- Eye flu
- Cluster headache
- Measles
- Glaucoma
- Brain tumor
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Sunburn
- Rabies
- Tuberculosis
Complications
Photophobia is usually a symptom of an underlying condition. Its causes are varied. However, ocular photosensitivity can sometimes be associated with complicated disease processes. These complications usually do not occur as a consequence of photosensitivity, but accompany it. Underlying diseases are among others neurological disorders, conjunctivitis, other eye inflammations, glaucoma or hereditary diseases like albinism. Glaucoma can lead to blindness if left untreated. Even with its treatment, the preservation of eyesight is not always guaranteed. Light shyness in babies is very often an indication of congenital glaucoma.In the case of eye and conjunctivitis, increased exposure to light can lead to severe pain. Therefore, photosensitivity proves to be a protective reaction of the body in this case. Photosensitivity can also occur in connection with severe headaches such as migraine. In this case, too, the patient avoids light sources, because they would only lead to intensification of the complaints. In albinism, the eyes are damaged by exposure to light because the protective melanin is missing here, which absorbs the damaging UV radiation. Therefore, albinos must always wear sunglasses to avoid going blind. Furthermore, photosensitivity often also provides the physician with an indication of the presence of other serious diseases, which are themselves already considered complications. For example, photosensitivity may occur as a symptom of brain tumors or meningitis (meningitis).
When should you see a doctor?
If photophobia occurs because of medications taken, it usually disappears after stopping them. Photophobia is usually noted on the package insert as a normal consequence of a prescribed medication. A visit to the doctor is only necessary if the photosensitivity takes on dramatic proportions or does not subside after discontinuation of the preparation. Photophilia or photophobia can have various causes. Acute diseases of the eyes or an acute migraine attack can be behind it. Infections or a rarely occurring sensitivity to light after penicillin treatment are also possible causes. A vitamin B deficiency – in addition to other symptoms – can also be the reason for photophobia. A visit to the doctor should always be made if the person affected is not clear about the causes of photosensitivity. Special attention should be paid to possible accompanying symptoms. This makes it easier for the affected person to consult the right doctor. If problems with vision, burning eyes or a foreign body sensation occur in combination with photophobia, the ophthalmologist is the right person to consult. In case of doubt, the family doctor is the best address. After the initial consultation and an examination, he or she can, if necessary, arrange for a referral to a specialist. This is necessary, because behind a suddenly appearing photophobia can also hide a meningitis or a concussion. Both require immediate treatment, especially in children.
Treatment and therapy
Photosensitivity is rarely treated by itself. It does not occur alone, but is always an accompanying symptom of a deeper cause. Therefore, treatment consists of identifying this and either inhibiting or eliminating it. Neuronal disorders such as epilepsy are suppressed with medication. This largely eliminates the sensitivity to light – the patient should still not be exposed to flickering light. If it is only a headache, the headache is treated symptomatically and the patient is advised not to provoke the brain by exposure to light, which is known to be dangerous. If, on the other hand, it is another disease, for example meningitis, it is mainly this that is treated and not the photosensitivity itself. By curing the cause, the sensitivity to light eventually disappears. It becomes more difficult in the case of autoimmune disease. In such cases, the reactions of the light-sensitive skin can be treated so that they recede. If the eyes are dry, one can try to soothe the surface of the eye by moisturizing eye drops. Of course, sunglasses help against photosensitivity. In case of only mild photophobia, glasses that can darken in sunlight (phototropic lenses) are also sufficient. However, if the light sensitivity also causes pain (light pain), a visit to an ophthalmologist is recommended as soon as possible to rule out an inflammation of the iris. If decreased visual acuity occurs in addition to sensitivity to light, an ophthalmologist should also be consulted.
Outlook and prognosis
In most cases, photophobia results from congenital glaucoma. In this case, headaches and dizziness may occur. Not infrequently, photophobia is also associated with inflammation of the eyes or conjunctiva. The affected person thus avoids all possible sources of light in order to protect himself from the pain. This severely restricts the daily life of the affected person. Social activities are also no longer possible without further ado and the patient often withdraws.This can lead to depression and other psychological difficulties in addition to the pain, but these can be treated by a psychologist. Treatment for photophobia always depends on the cause of the condition. If photophobia occurs after an epileptic seizure, treatment with medication can alleviate the symptom. In the case of meningitis, this can also be treated relatively well by taking medication so that no further symptoms occur. Patients can relieve photophobia for a short time by using sunglasses. However, this is not a long-term solution. If photophobia also causes decreased visual acuity, the patient will need to wear a visual aid.
Prevention
Prevention of photosensitivity is best accomplished by being careful not to contract infections that cause it. Meningitis, for example, is passed on by sharing a drinking bottle – this should be avoided. If you have a cold, avoiding stress and getting enough rest can already help – because stress often triggers the sensitivity. If there is an underlying condition that triggers the light sensitivity, harmful types of light should be avoided if possible. This will prevent the symptoms from developing. If it turns out that the photosensitivity is related to certain medications, one should consult with the attending physician and choose a different preparation.
What you can do yourself
Light-shy people can counteract the symptoms with the help of various measures. First, if you are sensitive to light, it is recommended to darken the rooms and protect the eyes from excessive light exposure with the help of sunglasses. In order to relieve the eyes, a pleasant room climate should also be ensured and stress avoided as far as possible. Often, a long nap already helps against acute light sensitivity. In the long term, it helps to gradually accustom the eyes to light and to work out strategies together with the doctor to overcome the photophobia. Accompanying artificial tears can be used to relieve the eyes. Dietary measures and a generally healthy lifestyle with sufficient exercise and enough relaxation and rest also contribute to less sensitive eyes. Preventive measures can be taken against photosensitivity by avoiding infections and other physical ailments. During a flu or cold, the eyes are usually even more sensitive than usual and should be additionally protected with a cap or sunglasses. In any case, severe sensitivity to light should first be discussed with the family physician, as there may be a serious underlying condition.
