Photophobia Causes: A Complete Guide
Photophobia is an increased sensitivity and aversion to light.
While the term means fear of light, it is not a phobia. It is an eye problem caused due to medical conditions or medicines.
As per AAO, over 80% of people with migraine may have Photophobia.
It may also affect your nervous system function. In the case of eye trauma, it may only affect one eye.
Photophobia(Light sensitivity) can have several different causes. A few of them are temporary, while others may indicate a medical problem.
In this article, you will learn more about the different causes of this condition.
Photophobia Causes
Sensitivity to bright light (Photophobia) can develop due to many reasons. These could include ophthalmic or non-ophthalmic conditions.
Some conditions that cause Photophobia are related to the eye, while others affect how the body detects pain.
Eye conditions, such as dilated pupils or light-colored eyes, actually allow too much light into the eyes, which is inherently unpleasant.
Check with your doctor for the real underlying cause. Your treatment may depend on it.
Here are some causes of Photophobia:
Migraine
Migraines cause photophobia as a common symptom.
Various factors, including hormonal changes, foods, stress, and the environment, can trigger migraine.
In addition to throbbing in one area of the head, additional symptoms include nausea and vomiting.
It is estimated that more than 10% of the global population suffers from migraine.
Tension headaches, another form of headache, may also cause Photophobia.
Brain conditions
Here are a few brain conditions that may cause you to experience Photophobia:
Meningitis
This condition is an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. An infection generally causes it.
The infection can be viral, bacterial, or fungal.
Light sensitivity from Meningitis signals a dislike of bright lights.
According to a study, Photophobia was prevalent in around 80% of children with bacterial Meningitis.
Encephalitis
Encephalitis occurs when your brain is inflamed from a viral infection or other cause.
It can also occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks brain tissue in response to a previous infection.
Most individuals with mild Encephalitis recover entirely. However, Encephalitis can be fatal and extremely serious.
A 2020 study around Encephalitis found that nearly 10 percent of hospitalized patients died.
Photophobia is a symptom of this brain condition. Check with your doctor, as early diagnosis can stop it from getting severe.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
A subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding in the space between the brain and the surrounding membrane.
The primary symptom is a sudden, severe headache. Some people describe it as the worst headache they have ever felt.
Other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and Photophobia, often accompany the headache.
Pituitary tumors
A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth in the pituitary gland.
The pituitary is a small gland in the brain. It is located behind the back of the nose.
Though rare, there are reports of increased light sensitivity due to compressing chiasm lesions.
Eye conditions
Photophobia is also common in many conditions that affect the eyes. These include:
Scleritis
Scleritis happens when the white part of your eye becomes inflamed. It can cause Photophobia as a symptom.
Other symptoms of Scleritis include eye pain, watery eyes, and blurred vision.
Corneal Abrasion
It is an injury to the cornea, the eye’s outermost layer.
Corneal Abrasions can occur if you get sand, dirt, metal particles, or other substances in your eyes.
It can cause Photophobia as a symptom.
Conjunctivitis
Also called “pink eye,” Conjunctivitis occurs when the layer of tissue covering your eye’s white part becomes infected or inflamed.
Most cases of Pink eye may be viral, but bacteria and allergies can also cause it.
It shows photophobia, eye pain, itching, and redness.
Dry eye syndrome
Dry eye occurs when your tear glands can’t make enough or poor-quality tears.
It can make your eyes excessively dry. Most patients with ocular dryness symptoms report some degree of Photophobia.
Causes include age, environmental factors, some medications, and certain medical conditions.
Glaucoma
Light sensitivity (or Photophobia) and glare are Glaucoma symptoms. They make outdoor activities and driving more difficult.
It is caused by the pressure buildup in the eyes that is common in glaucoma.
Light sensitivity patients experience discomfort from sunlight, incandescent, and fluorescent lights.
For those with Glaucoma, halogen lights, such as those used in car headlights, and fluorescent store lighting or fixtures can also cause uncomfortable glare.
Blepharospasm
Blepharospasm is the uncontrolled blinking or other eyelid movements, like twitching.
As per AAO, research by the University of Utah found that the participants with Blepharospasm were as light-sensitive as those with migraines.
It may also be triggered by severely dry eyes, blepharitis, intraocular inflammation, meningeal irritation, and light sensitivity.
Medications
Many medications can temporarily induce Photophobia. For example, Tetracycline, an antibiotic, is commonly linked with Photophobia.
Some other medications that can trigger this effect include:
- Chloroquine
- Methotrexate
- Naproxen
- Ciprofloxacin
- Ibuprofen
- Methylphenidate
- Haloperidol
Other health conditions
Anxiety, depression, psychosis, drug use, and withdrawal induce Photophobia.
People with Autism can be hypersensitive to surrounding stimuli and are often disturbed or upset by lights, noises, or unexpected sensations.
Takeaway
Photophobia is a troubling symptom often indicative of an underlying medical condition.
It can be caused by brain-related conditions such as Meningitis, Encephalitis, Subarachnoid hemorrhage, and pituitary tumors.
Some ophthalmic conditions responsible for Photophobia may include Conjunctivitis, Corneal abrasions, Scleritis, and Dry Eye Syndrome.
Check with your doctor if you suspect any of these conditions. The treatment will depend on the condition causing the sensitivity to light.
Frequently Asked Questions
WowRx uses only high-quality sources while writing our articles. Please read our content information policy to know more about how we keep our content reliable and trustworthy.
