Photophobia is an abnormal sensitivity to light. It is associated with dry eye disease, migraines (severe, recurrent headaches), and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Research has found that people with light-colored eyes, such as blue and gray eyes, are more sensitive to light than people with dark-colored eyes, such as brown eyes.
Several studies have found that people with light-colored eyes are more sensitive to the effects of light than people with dark-colored eyes. Researchers speculate this may be due to lower amounts of melanin (pigment) in light-colored eyes. Less melanin in the eyes may increase their susceptibility to the negative effects of sun and light exposure.
Eye color is determined by the amount of melanin in the front layers of the iris—the colored, ring-shaped part of the eye that controls how much light enters. People with dark-colored eyes have higher amounts of melanin in the iris, while those with light-colored eyes have lower amounts.
Less melanin in the iris has been associated with an increased sensitivity to sunlight and bright indoor lights, such as fluorescent lighting.
However, there are upsides to having blue eyes. Research shows that blue-eyed individuals have a better capacity to see in low-light, darker settings than brown-eyed individuals. People with blue eyes also have a lower risk of developing age-related eye cataracts, where the eyes’ lens becomes clouded.
Light sensitivity is more likely to occur in people with light-colored eyes because their irises contain less melanin than those with brown or dark-colored eyes. Common symptoms of light sensitivity in bright environments include:
- Increased sensitivity to glare or light
- A sensation of lights becoming brighter in appearance
- Headache
- Pain or discomfort in the eyes
In addition to light eye color being a risk factor for photophobia, there are several medical conditions that can lead to light sensitivity or involve light sensitivity as a symptom. These include:
- Migraines: As a frequent cause of photophobia, migraines are severe, recurring headaches that present with symptoms such as sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting, and throbbing pain in one side of the head.
- Dry eye syndrome: When the eyes do not produce enough tears on their own or produce tears that dry out too quickly, chronic (long-lasting) dry eye syndrome can result. Symptoms of dry eye include light sensitivity, stinging or burning eyes, blurred vision, and pain wearing contact lenses.
- Uveitis: This is inflammation that occurs inside one or both eyes.
- Glaucoma: A group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve in the back of the eye, glaucoma can cause vision loss or blindness if not treated early. While there is no cure, treatment can protect your vision by delaying further disease progression.
- Meningitis: This is an inflammation of the area surrounding your brain and spinal cord, caused by either a viral or bacterial infection.
- Concussion: Caused by a physical impact to the head, a concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can range in severity from mild to severe.
- Blepharitis: This is a common eye condition that causes inflammation of the eyelids, which can become red, swollen, and itchy.
- Subdural hemorrhage: Also called subdural hematoma, a subdural hemorrhage is caused by a head injury, which causes bleeding to occur in the area between the skull and the brain.
- Intracranial tumors: Also known as brain tumors, intracranial tumors are the growth of abnormal tissue cells in or around the brain. These tumors can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
If you are sensitive to bright light or sunlight, there are some things you can do to manage it. These include protective and preventative measures such as:
- Wear sunglasses or a brimmed hat to minimize eye exposure to sunlight
- Avoid or limit the time you spend in sunlight
- Use indoor lights that are dimmable
- Increase exposure to natural light as much as possible
- Lower the brightness level on screens such as phones, computers, tablets, or televisions
- Use incandescent or warm white LED lightbulbs instead of fluorescent lightbulbs
While photophobia does not always require medical attention, some signs and symptoms indicate medical care is needed. See a healthcare provider if you experience a headache, severe pain, numbing or tingling in the body, dry eyes, eye redness, double vision, changes in hearing, or blurry vision that doesn’t go away in 1-2 days.
Some injuries can also cause photophobia, such as a concussion. If you experience an injury that results in light sensitivity, see a healthcare provider as soon as possible or visit your nearest emergency room (ER).
It is important to seek medical care if you experience uncomfortable or painful signs and symptoms of photophobia. Light sensitivity can be a symptom of another health condition, such as glaucoma, meningitis, or migraine, that requires medical treatment and management.
Photophobia is an abnormal sensitivity to light, such as sunlight or bright indoor lighting.
People with blue or light-colored eyes are more susceptible to photophobia than people with brown or dark-colored eyes.
However, light sensitivity is not always a cause for concern unless you have additional uncomfortable or painful symptoms.
