Vision, light sensitive

Alternative names:

light hurts the eyes; light sensitivity; photophobia; sensitivity to sunlight

Home care:

The discomfort of light sensitivity can be reduced by avoiding sunlight, closing the eyes, wearing dark glasses, or darkening the room.

Call your health care provider if:

• photophobia is unexplained, persistent, or accompanied by red eye(s) or blurred vision.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting the sensitivity to light in detail may include:

• time pattern
  • When did this begin?
  • Is the sensitivity to light constant or occasional?

• quality
  • How severe is the sensitivity?
  • Are dark glasses needed?
  • Are darkened rooms needed?

• aggravating factors
  • Have the pupils recently been dilated with medications?
  • Do you use contact lenses?
  • Do you have headaches?
  • Do you use soaps, lotions, or cosmetics around your eyes?
  • Have you had an exposure to dust, wind, sun, pollens, or chemicals?

• relieving factors
  • Is it better after you rest?
  • Is it better when you wear dark glasses?
  • Is it better when you are in darkened rooms?
  • Do any medications make it better?

• other
  • What other symptoms are also present?
    • pain in the eye
    • headache
    • nausea
    • neck stiffness
    • blurred vision
    • sore or wound in eye
    • redness
    • itching
    • swelling
    • dizziness
    • numbness or tingling elsewhere in the body
    • changes in hearing

• additional important information
  • What medications are being taken?
  • Have you had any injuries?
  • Do you have a history of migraine headaches?
  • Do you use "street drugs"?

The physical examination may include a neurological examination performed with special attention to the eyes.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• corneal scraping
• slit-lamp examination
• lumbar puncture

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to photophobia to your personal medical record.