Photophobia - Causes and Symptoms

Definition

Photophobia is an ocular symptom that manifests itself as a hypersensitivity or an intolerance to light. This manifestation causes discomfort, a sense of aversion or eye pain following exposure to a light source (natural or artificial).

Photophobia can be observed in numerous diseases (headache, keratitis, conjunctivitis, measles and meningitis). However, in many people, intolerance to light simply indicates an increase in eye sensitivity in the absence of a basic pathology.

Photophobia occurs frequently in people with light eyes and often accompanies albinism.

Eye diseases

Photophobia is a symptom of diseases that cause inflammation, infection or damage to eye structures. The most common causes include: cataract, retinal detachment, conjunctivitis, corneal abrasion, keratitis, optic neuritis and glaucoma. Photophobia can also derive from keratoconus, coloboma, stye, dry eye syndrome, uveitis and eye trauma.

Hypersensitivity to light can also be associated with irritations caused by contact lenses and refractive surgery. Photophobia can also be the consequence of an undesired effect of some drugs, such as scopolamine, atropine, furosemide, quinine, tetracycline and doxycycline.

Other causes

Sensitivity to light can indicate the presence of a disease that does not directly affect the eyes. Photophobia and sensitivity to noise are, for example, common symptoms in migraine. Even fever, trigeminal neuralgia and meningitis cause light intolerance.

Other causes that can induce photophobia include: influenza, infectious mononucleosis, cluster headache, respiratory allergies, rosacea, systemic lupus erythematosus, botulism, rabies, encephalitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage and some brain tumors.

Hypersensitivity to light can also result from after-effects of alcohol abuse, magnesium deficiency, vitamin B2 deficiency, mercury poisoning, prolonged use or suspension of benzodiazepines, cocaine and amphetamine intake and chemotherapy.

Possible associated symptoms

Depending on the underlying cause, intolerance to light can be associated with various manifestations, such as moderate or severe eye pain, visual blurring, a foreign body sensation, conjunctival redness, burning, excessive tearing and difficulty in opening the eyes.

Signs associated with photophobia that may indicate the presence of a problem that requires urgent medical attention include: stiffness in the neck, fever, vomiting, dizziness, numbness or tingling in other parts of the body and phonophobia.