Optical light sensitivity, which is also known as photophobia, is essentially exactly what it sounds like: one’s eyes are sensitive to bright light. It is not strictly speaking a phobia in the sense that one fears bright light, but rather an intense sensitivity to direct light—either sun or indoor light—that can lead to squinting and painful headaches, and many other discomforts and vision complications.
There are a vast number of causes of photophobia, stemming from both eye- and nerve-related sources. Due to the diverse number of causes for light sensitivity, people who believe they may be suffering from photophobia should seek medical attention in order to diagnose and treat their specific condition.
Causes of Photophobia
Photophobia can be activated at any point in the visual step: too much light can sometimes enter the eye if it is damaged; photoreceptors in the retina can become over-stimulated; through the optic nerve’s ability—or hyper ability—to fire electric impulses to the brain; or in higher-than-normal responsiveness in the body’s central nervous system.
For some people, their eye color can affect their sensitivity to light. People with lighter-colored eyes—as well as people who suffer from migraines, and those with cataracts—often are especially susceptible to photophobia. Other people who suffer from light sensitivity were born without pigment in their eyes—known as ocular albinism—and this lack of pigment can lead to heavy glare and headaches.
Light sensitivity in the eyes can also point to underlying problems resulting from meningitis, uveitis, muscular degeneration, and conjunctivitis. Sometimes, less-permanent conditions can cause light sensitivity, such as contact lens irritations or eye abrasions, can also temporarily cause photophobia.
Can Your Eyes Get Sunburned?
The short answer is yes, your eyes can get sunburned—which can be yet another cause of light sensitivity. The sun produces infrared, visible, and ultra violet (UV) light, and it is the UV light that is most damaging to eyes. Looking directly into the sun—or any other very bright light—will begin to cause sunburn on your eyes almost immediately.
Sunburns on the eyes can be extremely painful, and can cause excessive tearing, inflammation, and irritation beginning just a few hours after contact UV exposure. Typically relief often comes within approximately 36 hours, and can be aided by UV-protective eyewear.
With so many causes for light sensitivity in the eyes, it is important to get treatment for the specific cause lying at the root of one’s photophobia. Once a cause for photophobia is diagnosed, most cases can be corrected and light sensitivity can eventually be eliminated.
[Photo Credit: Beltina]