If bright light — sunlight, headlights, even indoor lighting — makes you squint, tear up, or feel real discomfort, you're dealing with photophobia. It's a common symptom, and it can point to a wide range of causes, from harmless to serious.

Common, Mild Causes

• Dry eye — an unstable tear film can make eyes more reactive to light
• Eye strain or fatigue, especially after long screen sessions
• Migraines — light sensitivity is a hallmark migraine symptom, often before, during, or after the headache itself
• Recent pupil dilation from an eye exam
• Certain medications, including some antibiotics and blood pressure medications

Causes That Warrant Attention

• Corneal abrasions or scratches — even minor ones can cause significant light sensitivity
• Uveitis — inflammation inside the eye that often causes pain along with light sensitivity
• Conjunctivitis or other infections
• Cataracts, which can cause glare and halos around lights
• Certain glaucoma types, particularly angle-closure glaucoma, especially when paired with eye pain and nausea

When It's an Emergency

Sudden, severe light sensitivity combined with eye pain, redness, vision changes, or nausea should be treated as urgent — these can indicate acute angle-closure glaucoma, uveitis, or a corneal injury that needs prompt treatment.

Managing Everyday Light Sensitivity

• Wearing sunglasses with proper UV protection outdoors
• Using anti-reflective coatings on prescription lenses
• Adjusting screen brightness and taking regular breaks
• Treating underlying dry eye if that's a contributing factor
• Identifying and managing migraine triggers, if applicable

When to See a Doctor

If light sensitivity is new, sudden, severe, or paired with other symptoms like pain or vision changes, it's worth having your eyes examined rather than just avoiding bright environments.

The Bottom Line

Light sensitivity is your eyes telling you something — sometimes it's minor, sometimes it's not. If it's persistent, worsening, or accompanied by other symptoms, a proper exam can sort out which one you're dealing with.

Dealing with ongoing light sensitivity? Schedule an appointment with our team.