Are you sensitive to light?

10 July 2025

Do you feel more sensitive to sunlight than usual? Do bright lights, screens, or even well-lit indoor spaces make you uncomfortable? You might be experiencing photophobia, the medical term for light sensitivity.

Photophobia is not a disease itself but rather a symptom that something may be affecting your eyes or nervous system. People with light sensitivity may feel discomfort, burning, the need to squint, or even pain when exposed to light.

What are the most common causes?

Some of the most frequent causes of photophobia include:

• Dry eyes

• Migraines or intense headaches

• Excessive screen use (computers, phones, tablets)

• Inflamed or irritated cornea

• Uncorrected refractive errors (like myopia or astigmatism)

• Uveitis (inflammation inside the eye)

• Side effects of medications

• Recent use of pupil dilation drops during an eye exam

When should you see an eye doctor?

It’s important not to ignore light sensitivity if:

• It appears suddenly or becomes more intense.

• It’s accompanied by redness, blurry vision, pain, or discharge.

• It lasts for several days or interferes with your daily life.

A comprehensive eye exam can help determine the cause and provide appropriate treatment. In some cases, special light-filtering lenses, artificial tears, or treatment for the underlying condition may be recommended.

What can you do in the meantime?

• Wear sunglasses with UV protection outdoors.

• Lower the brightness of your screens.

• Blink frequently when using a computer.

• Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

• Keep your eyes hydrated.