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Light Sensitivity

Also known as photophobia, sensitivity to light, glare sensitivity

Wincing at ordinary light can be a migraine trait, a dry surface, or inflammation inside the eye.

About 1 minute to read

Overview

Photophobia is not fear of light but pain from it, and it happens through the trigeminal nerve — the same nerve that carries corneal pain. Anything irritating the front of the eye, or inflaming the iris behind it, can make normal room lighting genuinely painful.

A lifelong mild sensitivity in pale eyes is ordinary. Sensitivity that is new, one-sided, or severe enough to keep you in a dark room is a symptom worth chasing, because two of its causes — uveitis and corneal infection — damage sight if they are left.

What are the common symptoms?

  • Squinting or shutting the eyes in normal indoor light
  • Pain rather than mere discomfort in sunlight
  • Headache brought on by bright or flickering light
  • Watering and a strong urge to keep the eyes closed
  • Glare and starbursts from oncoming headlights

What causes it, and who is at risk?

Front of the eye: dry eye, corneal abrasion, keratitis and corneal ulcers, contact lens overwear, and welding flash burn. All of these hurt as well as dazzle.

Inside the eye: uveitis and iritis, where the inflamed iris spasms with every pupil movement. Cataract and posterior capsule opacification scatter light and cause glare rather than pain. Migraine, concussion, meningitis and several medicines that dilate the pupil also produce it, as do albinism and very light irises.

How is it treated?

Treat the cause and the light sensitivity goes with it. Tinted or polarised lenses and a hat help while that is happening, and FL-41 tinted lenses have decent evidence in migraine-related photophobia.

Uveitis is treated with steroid and dilating drops, corneal infection with intensive antibiotics, dry eye with lubrication and lid care. Sitting permanently in dark glasses indoors tends to make sensitivity worse over time, so it is worth weaning off them once the cause is settled.

When to get seen quickly

New light sensitivity with a red eye, pain or reduced vision needs same-day examination — that combination is uveitis or corneal infection until proven otherwise. With fever, neck stiffness or after a head injury, treat it as an emergency.

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Only an eye care professional who has examined you can tell you what is actually going on.

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Related conditions

Cataracts The eye's natural lens gradually clouds, dimming and yellowing vision — and it is fixable with routine surgery. Dry Eye Syndrome Burning, gritty, tired eyes — and often watery ones — caused by a tear film that is not doing its job. Uveitis Inflammation inside the eye — painful, light-sensitive, and needing prompt treatment to protect vision. Dilated Pupils Expected for a few hours after dilating drops — worth investigating when one pupil enlarges on its own.
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