Photophobia
Nicole Wendler holds a PhD in biology in the field of oncology and immunology. As a medical editor, author and proofreader, she works for various publishers, for whom she presents complex and extensive medical issues in a simple, concise and logical manner.
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.The term photophobia literally means “fear of light”. A real phobia, however, is rare. Photophobia, also known as photophobia, is usually due to an eye disease or a neurological cause. The eyes of those affected are very sensitive to light and react irritated to even small amounts of light. Here you can read everything you need to know about the triggers and therapy of photophobia.
Photophobia: description
You can be afraid of almost anything, including light. Photophobia as a classic anxiety disorder only occurs occasionally. A physical illness usually triggers the impaired eye sensitivity:
In those affected, the eyes are over-sensitive to even slight light stimuli, so that even when the sky is overcast it is often only possible to wear sunglasses. The fear of light is also noticeable inside rooms - with photophobia, it does not matter whether the light source is artificial or natural.
Photophobia or photophobia is one of the subjective visual disorders. People's eyes may sting or watery, reddened, or dry. Often times, sensitivity to light is accompanied by dizziness, headaches and migraines. Sharp pain and loss of vision are typical of serious cases.
Photophobia: causes and possible diseases
A direct, strong light beam would irreversibly damage the retina and the photoreceptors on it. To prevent this from happening, the eye reacts with the eyelid closing reflex (corneal reflex, orbicularis oculi reflex).
In light-sensitive eyes, this reflex is triggered even at low brightness. The exact mechanisms behind this are still largely unknown. However, researchers suspect that an overactive nerve transmits too many stimuli to the brain.
The hypersensitivity to light stimuli can be of physical or psychological origin. The latter would then be a real phobia and is rather rare. Much more often, photophobia is a symptom of an eye disease or occurs as a result of external stimuli. But photophobia can also appear as a side effect of numerous other diseases. It is often based on a neurological disease in which the ophthalmic nerve (ophthalmic nerve), facial nerve (trigeminal nerve) or the brain are involved.
Photophobia from external stimuli
External stimuli that can trigger photophobia are:
- incorrect contact lens use
- UV rays, sunburn, flashing
- Injuries
- Exposure to care products
- toxic membrane damage
Photophobia and eye disease
Various eye diseases can also be associated with photophobia, for example:
- dry eye with a low tear film
- Conjunctivitis (conjunctivitis), corneal inflammation (keratitis), vascular skin or iris inflammation (uveitis, iritis)
- Green star (glaucoma; including the congenital variant: early childhood glaucoma)
- Lens opacity (cataract = cataract)
- Dilation of the pupil (mydriasis)
- Congenital malformations: cleft iris, total color blindness (achromatopsia), lack of iris pigmentation (albinism), iris defect (aniridia)
Photophobia in other diseases
In the context of other diseases, one can also get light-sensitive eyes, for example with:
- cold
- Headache (e.g. cluster headache, migraine)
- Traumatic brain injury (such as concussion)
- Cerebral hemorrhage
- Brain tumor
- rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia (form of soft tissue rheumatism)
- Psoriasis
- Meningitis
- tuberculosis
- measles
- rabies
- syphilis
- epilepsy
Photophobia: when do you need to see a doctor?
Photosensitive eyes don't always have to have a serious cause. In the case of a cold or migraine, the symptoms usually subside on their own as soon as the acute phase of illness is over.
However, if the photophobia persists for a long time and you feel severely restricted as a result, you should ask your ophthalmologist for advice. It may be due to an eye disease that needs specialist treatment. You should definitely take the complaints seriously if you also have eye pain and you notice reduced visual acuity. Then an ophthalmologist visit is urgently required!
If the ophthalmologist cannot determine the cause of the photophobia, he can refer you to another specialist.
Photophobia: what does the doctor do?
First of all, the ophthalmologist will take your medical history (anamnesis): In a conversation with you, he will inquire about your symptoms and any previous illnesses.
This is followed by various eye examinations: The doctor examines the eye (including the cornea) with the slit lamp and checks the eyesight.If there is a certain suspicion of the possible cause of the photophobia, further investigations can bring clarity.
If you are referred to another specialist, further examinations will follow to get to the bottom of the photophobia.
Treatment of photophobia
If the photophobia is actually based on an eye disease, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and / or antibacterial drugs are used as required. If dry eyes are the reason for the photophobia, artificial tears can help (but should not become a permanent solution).
Underlying diseases (such as concussion, psoriasis, etc.) that are responsible for the light-sensitive eyes require appropriate treatment. Then the photophobia often improves.
Sometimes medication alone is not enough to control symptoms. Then a multimodal therapy that includes body, mind and spirit may be necessary.
Photophobia: You can do that yourself
Until the underlying disease is clear, darkened rooms or sunglasses can help with photophobia. However, reaching for sunglasses should not become a permanent solution. Otherwise your eyes will get used to the subdued light, which can worsen the problem.
Stress and little sleep can increase photophobia. Make sure you relax regularly and get enough sleep. Photosensitive eyes due to external stimuli can sometimes recover with careful rinsing and the use of an eye ointment. If these measures do not bring about a short-term improvement in photophobia, you must consult a doctor.
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