Photophobia of the eyes – causes that not everyone knows about. Increased eye sensitivity to light: possible causes and treatment methods Very sensitive eyes to light what to do

Under Photophobia of the eyes refers to the painful sensitivity of the eyes to light, in which a person, when exposed to it, experiences unpleasant sensations in the eyes and lacrimation, which causes them to squint their eyes. Sometimes photophobia is also called sunphobia or photophobia.

It should be noted that in some cases we have to deal with the erroneous diagnosis of photophobia in patients who have a pathological fear of exposure to the sun.

This pathological condition is called heliophobia and is a mental illness that has nothing to do with visual impairment.

Causes of the disease

To begin with, it should be noted that photophobia is a symptom of another disease, and not an independent nosological unit; for this reason, when identifying photophobia in patients, all efforts must be directed toward diagnosing the primary pathological process that led to sunphobia.

The causes of the disease can be different. So, these can be diseases (for example,) or structural features of the eye (for example, albinism), general diseases (for example, colds or migraines), adverse environmental influences (for example, excess ultraviolet radiation).

It often happens that doctors may encounter congenital cases of photophobia, in which the eye reacts to daylight and artificial light due to a lack of pigment called melanin or due to its complete absence in the body.

In addition, taking certain medications can cause increased eye sensitivity to light. For example, to effectively diagnose the fundus of the eye, doctors instill drugs into the eyes that dilate the pupil, as a result of which it does not narrow under the influence of sunlight and, as a result, the retina is exposed to increased exposure to light rays.

Another cause of photophobia may be an adverse reaction to taking quinine, tetracycline, doxycycline, belladonna, furosemide.

In recent years, cases of photophobia associated with prolonged exposure to a computer (the so-called “computer vision syndrome”) have become more frequent, which is a consequence of the development of increased sensitivity of the eyes to wind and light against the background of visual stress and constant drying out.

Meanwhile, some diseases can also cause an aggravated reaction to light in the organ of vision:

conjunctivitis (an acute or chronic inflammatory disease of the connective membrane of the eye)
ulcers and corneal damage
tumors
keratitis (inflammation of the cornea of the eye)
iritis (inflammation of the iris of the eye)

Photophobia can also occur as a result of damage to the eye by bright light (for example, snow ophthalmia, which implies damage to the cornea as a result of exposure to a large number of sun rays reflected from the snow; when welding without glasses, when looking at the sun, etc.) , retinal detachment and refractive surgery.

There are frequent cases of photophobia occurring during a migraine attack, with diseases of the central nervous system (meningitis, tumors) or during an acute attack of glaucoma. In addition, prolonged wearing of lenses (especially if they were incorrectly selected) can lead to increased sensitivity of the eyes to light.

Note that in rare cases, doctors have to deal with photophobia caused by botulism, mercury poisoning, chronic fatigue, and depression.

Symptoms

The symptoms of photophobia of the eyes are clearly defined by the very name of the pathology: eye intolerance to bright light. In this case, increased sensitivity and reaction of the eye to light can be caused by natural and artificial light sources.

The clinical picture of photophobia consists of the following signs:

spasms (or convulsive closure) of the eyelids
headache
lacrimation
Pain in the eyes

Methods for treating photophobia

Treatment of photophobia is determined by the treatment of the underlying disease, which led to the development of increased sensitivity of the organ of vision to light. If it is not possible to eliminate the primary pathological process for certain reasons, then adjustments should be made to everyday life.

So, on sunny days it is forbidden to go outside without sunglasses, which must have a filter against ultraviolet rays (100% protection); for this reason, they should only be purchased in specialized stores.

Temporary photophobia, which is a consequence of slight inflammation of the eyes, is treated with eye drops, which should contain moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic components, and vitamins. In some cases, such drops allow you to get rid of photophobia within a few days.

5937 09/18/2019 6 min.

A symptom such as photophobia gives a person a lot of unpleasant sensations. In this case, any ray of light, daylight or artificial, on the area of the eyeball brings a feeling of discomfort, and sometimes even acute pain. Sometimes this manifestation is accompanied by lacrimation and redness of the eyes. What are the causes of photophobia? What to do in this case?

Definition of disease

Photophobia, or photophobia, is called discomfort in the eyes that appears in artificial and natural light conditions. At the same time, at dusk or in complete darkness, the eyes of a sick person feel normal.

Photophobia should be distinguished from a pathological fear of exposure to the sun, which is called heliophobia and is a mental illness that is in no way related to disruption of the functioning of the visual organs.

Causes

There is congenital photophobia, in which the eye reacts to daylight or artificial light due to a lack of melanin pigment or its complete absence in the body.

The causes of photophobia can be completely different:

Diseases of the organs of vision;
Features of the structure of the eyes (for example, albinism);
General diseases;
Adverse environmental influences (excess UV radiation).

Increased eye sensitivity to light can be caused by taking certain medications. For example, to effectively diagnose the fundus of the eye, doctors instill drugs into the eyes that dilate the pupil, as a result of which the retina is exposed to increased exposure to light rays for some time. Photophobia can also become a side reaction to taking medications such as:

Quinine;
Doxycycline;
Belladonna;
Furosemide.

In recent years, the cause of photophobia of the eyes has increasingly become a long stay at the computer (“computer syndrome”). Increased sensitivity of the eyes to light and wind occurs against the background of constant drying out and visual stress.

Some diseases can also cause a heightened reaction to light in the eyes, such as:

Ulcers and damage to the cornea;
Tumors;
(inflammation of the cornea);
Iritis (inflammation of the iris);
Meningitis;
Diseases of the central nervous system;
Acute attack;
Refractive eye surgery.

Photophobia can also occur due to damage to the eye by bright light (for example, with snow ophthalmia, welding without glasses, when looking at the sun, etc.).

Long-term wearing of lenses can also lead to photophobia, especially if they were incorrectly selected. In rare cases, doctors encounter photophobia caused by botulism, mercury poisoning, chronic fatigue, and depression.

Symptoms

A person suffering from photophobia, when exposed to an illuminated space, squints, closes his eyes, and tries to protect his eyes from the light with his hands. When wearing sunglasses the situation improves slightly. Increased photosensitivity may be accompanied by additional symptoms, such as:

Headache;
Pupil dilation;
Redness of the eyes;
Feeling of “sand” or “stinging” in the eyes;
Impaired visual acuity;
Unclear outlines of objects.

If you increase sensitivity to light, you should not delay consulting a doctor, as this symptom may hide a malignant brain tumor that progresses quickly.

Treatment

When contacting a medical institution with a problem of photophobia, the ophthalmologist will definitely diagnose eye diseases. If photophobia is accompanied by fever, vomiting or allergic manifestations, you should also visit an infectious disease specialist or therapist to find out the cause.

Medically

It is useless to treat photophobia without identifying the cause and underlying pathology. Very often, this symptom goes away on its own when the irritating factor is eliminated or after recovery from the underlying disease. Photophobia can be reduced by wearing dark sunglasses and anti-inflammatory eye drops. Such measures will help reduce discomfort and lead a normal lifestyle during the treatment of the underlying disease.

Treatment of photophobia of the eyes depends on the reasons that cause it. If increased sensitivity to light has developed due to an inflammatory disease of any part of the eyeball, then after eliminating the source of inflammation, photophobia will go away on its own.

Read about the causes of pain in the eyes.

For purulent discharge, it is necessary to use drops with antiseptics or antibiotics, for example, Okomistin, Levomycetin drops, Tobradex, etc.

If photophobia occurs as a result of a bruise, injury or burn to the eye, urgent ophthalmological assistance will be required. You can first drip your eyes with antiseptic drops and apply a sterile bandage on top.

In the case when such a disorder is associated with the entry of a foreign body or contamination, then after eliminating the negative factor and rehabilitation of the injured organ, the disease can also go away on its own.

Sometimes photophobia is caused by the development of any infectious diseases not related to the functioning of the visual system and its normal functioning. In this case, treatment should be aimed at treating the underlying disease that provoked photophobia.

If photophobia is caused by taking certain medications, then the doctor will select an analogue that will not provoke such a reaction to light.

In cases of congenital photophobia or associated with environmental factors, the doctor may recommend wearing contact lenses that minimize negative reactions to light.

Read about tunnel vision.

It should be remembered that only an ophthalmologist can make a correct diagnosis, so consultation with a doctor will guarantee effective treatment of photophobia.

Folk remedies

Read in detail about headaches in the forehead and eyes.

Eye diseases can be treated not only with medications, but also with traditional methods. We offer several recipes that can eliminate or reduce discomfort, including the symptom of photophobia:

Compress and infusion of Potentilla erecta. This plant helps cure many eye diseases, including eliminating photophobia, as well as improving vision. To prepare a compress, you will need 1 teaspoon of herb, which needs to be filled with 200 ml of water. The broth should be brought to a boil, then let it brew for 3 hours. You should rinse your eyes with this infusion before going to bed. A compress will also have a good effect. Soak sterile gauze wipes with the infusion and apply to your eyes for half an hour.
Sweet clover compress. The flowering tops of this plant should be collected in July. Pour 40 g of sweet clover with 200 ml of water and boil over low heat for 15 minutes. Cool the product, strain and apply swabs soaked in it in the morning and evening for 30 minutes.
Drops on “silver water”. Boil and cool water, pour into a glass jar. Place some silverware there (coins or cutlery). Leave the water for a week, during which time it will become enriched with silver ions. Then take 4 large aloe leaves (the plant must be over 3 years old) and place in the same container. Bring the water to a boil, remove from heat, and wrap the pan in a large towel and blanket. The remedy should be infused until the morning. Strain the broth in the morning, then add 2 teaspoons of natural honey and stir until completely dissolved. Place 2 drops in each eye 3 times a day. The course of treatment ranges from 1 week to six months. Such drops will relieve photophobia, eye inflammation, cataracts, and also improve vision. They need to be stored in the refrigerator.
Sea buckthorn oil. It will help get rid of photophobia. The first two days you need to drop 1 drop of oil into the eye every 2 hours. And then 2 drops up to 3 times a day. It can also be used for compresses. Soak cotton pads in sea buckthorn oil and apply to eyelids for half an hour, 2 times a day.
Calendula with chamomile. Mix calendula and chamomile flowers. Pour a spoonful of the mixture with boiling water (250 ml) and leave for 1 hour. Strain the infusion. Rinse your eyes several times a day or use the infusion for compresses. You can also drop the product into your eyes, 2 drops 3 times a day.

Read about divergent strabismus in.

If, despite the use of traditional recipes, photophobia does not go away within 7 days, you should consult an ophthalmologist.

Prevention

Photophobia is a very relevant problem in our time. Every person who wants to preserve their vision and health in general should know and adhere to the following preventive measures:

Undergo regular preventive examinations with an ophthalmologist and other specialists;
Lead a healthy lifestyle;
Do not overload or injure the visual organs.

Video

Photophobia is an abnormal intolerance by the visual organs of artificial or natural light, under the influence of which discomfort occurs. The causes of photophobia of the eyes can be different and may be accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms.

Why do the eyes react painfully to light?

Another name for this phenomenon is photophobia. Hypersensitivity to light, its fear is especially acute under the influence of bright light sources, and in twilight or dark conditions, discomfort in the eyes is often less. The main manifestation of the pathological condition in question is a reflexive closing of the eyelids and the desire to cover the eyes with hands from the light. Often there is also pain in the eyes, increased formation of tear fluid, a feeling of “sand” in the eyes, which may indicate ophthalmological pathologies.

When asking questions about why photophobia occurs and what disease it may be a symptom of, one should consider not only eye diseases among the possible causes. Thus, photophobia develops against the background of certain diseases of the central nervous system, is present in infectious lesions of the body that occur with severe intoxication, and appears as a side effect when taking certain medications (for example, furosemide, tetracycline). These reasons may be indicated by additional manifestations: headache, nausea, elevated body temperature, etc.

A short-term increased sensitivity of the visual organs, which occurs as a result of prolonged stay in a room with low lighting, is considered a normal physiological phenomenon. This is explained by the fact that the pupil does not have time to quickly adapt to new conditions. This occurs after sleep, with prolonged reading, or working at a computer monitor. If a symptom occurs frequently and does not go away for a long time, this should alert you.

Psychosomatics of photophobia

Sometimes fear of light is a neuropsychological disorder in which a person has a panicky fear of sunlight. This deviation is called heliophobia and is accompanied by the appearance of the following symptoms while exposed to open sunlight:

increasing anxiety;
the desire to hide in a safe place, to escape;
trembling throughout the body;
weakness;
increased heart rate;
loss of consciousness.

Heliophobia forces a person to limit his time outdoors, narrow his social circle, and make it difficult to learn and find employment. Due to isolation, not only the psychological state suffers, but also physical health, because... without sunlight, the body does not produce vitamin D. People with this phobia have pale skin, low body weight, problems with teeth and the skeletal system.

Fear of light during a cold

With viral and bacterial diseases of the respiratory system, accompanied by an increase in body temperature, photophobia of the eyes is often observed, especially when looking directly towards light rays. The symptom is caused by intoxication of the body, associated with the proliferation of pathogenic microbes and the penetration of their waste products into the blood, and from there into the muscle tissue, including the eye. In addition, the patient experiences redness of the eyeballs, burning sensation in the eyes, and pain when moving the eyes.

Sometimes pathogens infect the structures of the eye apparatus, causing a concomitant inflammatory process in the membrane surrounding the eyeball. In this case, depending on the signs of what disease, fear of light is accompanied by mucous or purulent discharge from the eyes, pain, and swelling of the eyelids. Less commonly, optic neuritis, which has similar symptoms, occurs against the background of cold infections.

Photophobia with meningitis

With such a serious illness as, infectious inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord occurs. Photophobia and headache, intolerance to loud sounds, a sharp rise in body temperature, vomiting, and a rash on the body are the main symptoms of the disease. In patients, intracranial pressure increases, and brain nerves and ocular vessels may be affected. Due to its rapid progression and dangerous complications, patients with meningitis require immediate hospitalization.

Photophobia with measles

Adults rarely get sick, but once infected, the disease is severe, often with complications. This viral pathology is certainly accompanied by symptoms such as photophobia and lacrimation. Along with them, there are other characteristic manifestations: sudden deterioration of the condition, severe weakness, increased body temperature, headache, runny nose, rash. The appearance of light intolerance in measles is primarily associated with inflammation of the mucous membrane of the organs of vision.

Photophobia – cataracts

The disease, which occurs in many older women, is characterized by a decrease in the transparency of the eye lens, partial or complete clouding. The main manifestation of this pathology is the appearance of blurred vision, in which objects are seen with blurred contours and look as if placed behind foggy glass. Often objects appear double before the eyes and color perception changes.

In many cases, this disease causes increased sensitivity to light, with photophobia increasing in the evening, and vision in the dark is significantly reduced. In addition, it is typical to see rainbow halos around light sources - lanterns, lamps. This is due to the fact that light rays, reaching the clouded lens, are scattered and do not reach the retina.

Photophobia in glaucoma

Among the causes of photophobia of the eyes, glaucoma stands out - a number of pathologies of the visual organs, accompanied by increased intraocular pressure due to impaired fluid outflow. As a result, pathological changes develop in the ocular structures, visual acuity decreases, and the optic nerve and retina are damaged. In adult patients, photophobia, the causes of which are associated with a type of this pathology - angle-closure glaucoma, is accompanied by symptoms such as eye pain, headache, and nausea.

How to get rid of photophobia?

Depending on the diseases in which photophobia is observed, methods of getting rid of this symptom will vary. To establish a diagnosis, consultation is often required not only with an ophthalmologist, but also with specialists in other fields of medicine. Having found the provoking factors, it is necessary to begin treatment, which can consist of conservative methods or surgical interventions. While treatment is being carried out, photophobia of the eyes can be minimized by following the recommendations:

wearing sunglasses, preferably with brown filters;
limiting watching TV, staying at the computer;
if the symptom occurs in paroxysms, you should be in a darkened room at this time.

Drops for photophobia of eyes

Photophobia of the eyes, the causes of which are explained by ophthalmological diseases, is eliminated through the use of eye drops, often the following:

antibacterial (antiseptic) – Levomycetin, Tobradex;
anti-inflammatory (hormonal and non-hormonal) – Dexamethasone, Indocollir;
moisturizing – Oxial, Cationorm;
vasoconstrictors – Okumetil, Vizin.

In some cases, along with treatment with eye medications, it is recommended to perform gymnastics and eye massage. If, after using the drops prescribed by the doctor, photophobia does not disappear or decrease within 3-5 days, the treatment requires adjustment. Repeated and additional diagnostic measures may be required.

Treatment of photophobia of the eyes with folk remedies

With your doctor's permission, you can try to reduce your fear of bright light through folk remedies. Many plants have proven themselves to be effective in treating ophthalmic symptoms, and photophobia of the eyes, the causes of which are associated with eye pathologies, is no exception.

Drops recipe

Increased light sensitivity of the eyes - when, after a transition from darkness to light for more than an hour, the retina cannot adapt to new conditions. At this time, the eyes hurt, increased lacrimation begins, a feeling of pressure appears in the organ of vision, and a corolla-areola is seen around the light source.

Prolonged discomfort is a sign of a disease of the organ of vision. It is impossible to maintain a clear gaze when tears begin to flow when the light changes. To find out what is causing the disturbance in light perception, you need to consult a doctor.

Short-term discomfort when the light changes is considered normal. It passes within a few seconds - but can last up to 1.5-2 minutes.

With colds and infectious diseases - especially those accompanied by fever - the adaptation time increases. In addition, bright light begins to irritate, you have to squint your eyes even on a normal sunny day.

You can increase the sensitivity of your eyes yourself if you constantly use sunglasses in the summer. Then the bright light in the room will also begin to irritate.

The following factors affect light sensitivity:

some medications - as soon as their effect wears off, light perception returns to normal;
age-related changes;
visual impairment due to eye diseases - macular degeneration and glaucoma.

Any deterioration in vision is a reason to consult a doctor. Stopping the development of glaucoma is possible only at the initial stage of the disease.

However, it is considered normal if lacrimation increases on a clear winter day. After a short attack of snow ophthalmia, vision is restored quickly. If snowy expanses have to be observed with unprotected eyes for a long time, restoration of vision may take several days.

But again, the body is able to cope with this condition on its own, just take care of the eyes and avoid bright light.

What is light and color sensitivity?

The human eye is not an optimal analyzer. To evoke the sensation of light, 2 colors are perceived at once - if the perception is disturbed, then discomfort occurs.

Solar radiation is the maximum of the visibility curve; it is to this that the human eye is tuned.

In the organ of vision - in its retina - there are sensitive elements: optic nerve fibers and photoreceptors. When exposed to electromagnetic radiation in the range from 760 to 380 nm, a sensation of light arises. Light-sensitive receptors face deep into the retina, the outer shell of which consists of epithelial cells with black pigment.

An excitation impulse appears in the cells under the influence of light, causing photochemical reactions in them. The impulses provoked by this process are transmitted to the brain, as a result of which visual sensations are formed.

Under the influence of light, the retina evaluates the surroundings according to two characteristics - qualitative and quantitative. A quantitative characteristic is a feeling of brightness, a qualitative characteristic is a feeling of color. Perception is determined by the wavelength of light and spectral composition.

Photoreceptors are divided into rods and cones. Rods are more photosensitive; they are responsible for brightness, while cones distinguish colors and shades.

The graph, relative to which you can approximately understand how the color and light sensitivity of the eyes is distributed, looks like this.

This picture shows that the perception of bright light and contrast for a person is a mixture of red, green and blue. Increasing the photosensitivity of the eyes is a change in the proportions between the analyzers located in the organ of vision - with artificial enhancement of one of the spectra, painful sensations appear.

It is impossible to depict the photosensitivity of the eyes with a picture; there are very complex formulas; the emission spectrum is estimated using optical formulas.

The reciprocal of the minimum threshold brightness that causes visual sensations is called the photosensitivity of the eye.

The range of its changes is quite wide, which is why the human eye has enormous visual adaptation capabilities - the ability to adapt to light of varying brightness.

During adaptation the following happens:

the diameter of the pupil varies, which allows you to change the perception of light flux;
inside the organ of vision, the concentration of photosensitivity of undecomposed pigment decreases;
cones and rods with dark pigment, which are located in the choroid, move towards the vitreous body and screen the image;
depending on the brightness of the object, the degree of participation of rods and cones in exciting the sensation of light changes.

When performing an eye photosensitivity test, the test subject is placed in a dark room. Under these conditions, photosensitivity is determined - how transitions from the lower limit to the upper limit and vice versa affect the organ of vision.

The absolute threshold of susceptibility or the lower limit is only a few tens of photons per second - such a flow of energy is directed at the organ of vision in almost complete darkness. The upper limit is 1012 times higher. Adaptation should take less than a minute for young people; in old age, its time may increase.

Increased photosensitivity

The following reasons cause increased photosensitivity:

congenital absence of pigment;
staying at the computer for a long time – eye fatigue;
retinal disinsertion;
eye diseases - iritis, keratitis, ulcers and damage to the cornea, tumors.

Photophobia occurs after the eyes are damaged by bright light - for example, during welding work or with snow ophthalmia.

Also, discomfort from intense light appears during many diseases that occur with high temperature. One of the symptoms of childhood diseases - measles and scarlet fever - is an increased reaction to light.

Symptoms of increased photosensitivity may include:

increased lacrimation;
pain and pain in the organ of vision;
spasms causing convulsive closure of the eyelids.

A sharp change in illumination provokes an attack of acute headache.

Treatment of photosensitivity

The ophthalmologist conducts a test to determine photosensitivity, setting the limit that the eye can tolerate without problems and developing measures to help adapt to bright light.

The underlying disease or causes causing photosensitivity often require serious treatment, and sometimes elimination - for example, if the underdevelopment of the visual apparatus is hereditary - is impossible. In this case, it is necessary to adjust your existence in the sunny season.

It is imperative to wear sunglasses - in a brightly lit room you also need to use a protective device, only with less intensely tinted glasses.

Temporary phenomena of increased light perception are treated - for this, eye drops containing anti-inflammatory and antiseptic components are used. Drops with moisturizing properties are also used, and a complex of vitamins is prescribed.

Rational nutrition is of great importance in the condition of the organ of vision. A lack of vitamins A and C immediately affects the functions of the visual apparatus.

To preserve your vision, you need to consult an ophthalmologist in a timely manner. Long-term adaptation to changes in illumination and discomfort in intense sunlight, which appeared suddenly, are sufficient reasons for a visit to the ophthalmologist.

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Violation of eye adaptation to bright sunlight can be short-term and persistent with pronounced symptoms of pathology. Photosensitivity of the eyes is a painful perception of light beams when they hit the retina. In 98% of cases this is a two-way process.

Causes

There are two main causes of the pathological condition. The first is a side effect of therapeutic treatment with pharmaceuticals.

List of medications that cause photophobia:

products used in ophthalmic practice (eye drops, ointments);
antibiotics – Tetracycline, Doxycycline;
drugs to lower blood glucose levels in diabetes mellitus;
statins - drugs for reducing cholesterol in the vascular walls and preventing cardiovascular diseases;
NSAIDs – Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Ketoprofen.

The second common cause is diseases of various etiologies, in which photosensitivity is an accompanying symptom. These include the following diseases:

conjunctivitis and keratitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane and cornea);
infectious meningitis;
ARVI and other viral diseases;
neurological diseases;
mental disorders - depression, hallucinations, sleep disturbances;
chronic fatigue syndrome.

A temporary fear of light occurs when working at a computer for a long time, when going outside without protective glasses, when the sun is as bright as possible - both in summer and winter. If you stay in a dark room for several hours and then go outside, sunlight can trigger the development of non-pathological photophobia.

Unilateral photosensitivity of the eye appears when a foreign body enters the conjunctiva.

Symptoms of photophobia

It’s easy to identify signs of photosensitivity yourself. As soon as streams of bright light hit the retina, unpleasant sensations and discomfort appear in the orbit. A man tries to squint his eyes. Even dim light can cause irritation.

In parallel, a spasm of the eyelids is observed. Some people's pupils dilate. The eyeballs become pink or deep red. The person involuntarily begins to blink frequently. Complains of a feeling of sand in the eyes. Some people experience a temporary decrease in the quality of their vision.

In children

In children, the appearance of sensitivity to light is due to the fact that the visual organs are not sufficiently developed. The symptom occurs in response to irritation from both natural light and artificial lighting. The child’s defense mechanism is triggered, he begins to blink quickly and squints. If this symptom persists for a long time and appears regularly over several days, this is a reason to see a pediatrician.

In infants, the main causes of photophobia are:

congenital photosensitivity;
childhood infectious diseases - rubella, measles;
aniridia – absence of the iris;
cryptophthalmos – absence of eyelids;
abnormalities of the eyeball - microphthalmos, anophthalmos;
underdevelopment of eye structures - iris, cornea, lens, vitreous body;
retinopathy of prematurity is a severe eye pathology with structural and functional changes in the retina and vitreous body.

In preschool children, photosensitivity manifests itself as a result of common inflammatory processes in the eye (conjunctivitis), which develop against the background of colds (acute respiratory infections, flu). Less commonly, when a foreign body gets into the eye.

Schoolchildren suffer from photophobia for the following reasons:

systematic overstrain of the organ of vision;
violation of the daily routine;
constant lack of sleep at night;
lack of physical activity according to age requirements;
chronic fatigue;
wearing contact lenses.

Symptoms in children directly depend on the causes. If a child has an acute inflammatory process, a childhood infection (measles), photosensitivity will be accompanied by an increase in body temperature and increased lacrimation.

The signs in children are as follows: they are afraid to look at the sunny sky, out the window, or at a source of artificial color. The eyes itch, itch, and hurt. It is not uncommon to hear a (false) complaint that something has gotten into the eye.

In case of serious diseases (nerve paralysis, developmental anomalies), signs of photophobia are accompanied by the following manifestations:

increased sweating;
redness of the skin;
drooping eyelid (ptosis);
dilated pupil, does not respond to light stimulus.

Associated symptoms

In 80–90% of cases, sensitivity of the organ of vision to sunlight is accompanied by lacrimation. If such a combination of symptoms occurs, one of the following diseases should be suspected:

foreign body, mechanical trauma, chemical burn;
inflammation of the mucous membrane or choroid of the eye;
corneal erosion;
ARVI, influenza;
retinal detachment;
vitreous hemorrhage;
enlargement of the thyroid gland;
severe headaches (migraines);
meningitis, encephalitis.

Photophobia is often combined with discomfort and pain in the eyes. Signs are observed with chemical burns, corneal injuries, glaucoma, purulent inflammation of various structures of the eye, chronic allergies with damage to the conjunctiva (spring catarrh).

Many patients experience redness of the mucous membrane and sclera. This indicates the presence of an inflammatory viral or bacterial process.

Rarely, photosensitivity is accompanied by an increase in body temperature. This tandem occurs with infection of the brain, spinal cord, inflammation of the trigeminal nerve, brain abscess, stroke as a result of hemorrhage.

Photosensitivity with migraine is diagnosed with inflammation of the meninges, regular mental stress, dysfunction of the pituitary gland, an acute attack of glaucoma with a sharp increase in intraocular pressure.

Pain in the eyes and photophobia occur with infectious inflammation of the conjunctiva, choroid, cornea, and astigmatism. Unbearable throbbing pain radiating to the brain occurs with trigeminal neuralgia.

Some people may experience nausea that is not associated with heavy food intake. This condition is typical for hypertensive patients, as well as with increased intraocular pressure.

Diagnosis of the disease

The main task of diagnosis is to identify the disease that has led to increased photosensitivity of the patient’s organ of vision.

At the initial visit, the doctor performs an eye examination - ophthalmoscopy. Using an ophthalmoscope or a special lens, the condition of the anterior chamber of the eye, retina, fundus vessels, and optic nerve is studied.

To evaluate the vitreous body, the fundus of the eye, and identify pathological changes, biomicroscopy (a technique for examining the eye using a slit lamp) is prescribed.

If glaucoma is suspected, tonometry is done - measuring intraocular pressure.

Additional methods of examining patients:

perimetry – determination of the boundaries of the field of view;
Ultrasound of the eyes – visual assessment of structures (lens, retrobulbar tissue, extraocular muscles);
optical tomography – digital reconstruction of the eye, which allows you to visualize the organ in the smallest detail;
electroretinography – assessment of retinal functionality;
microbiological analysis of a smear of conjunctival discharge, bacteriological culture.

If the nerves are damaged or inflamed, the patient is prescribed an MRI of the head, electroencephalography, and ultrasound of the cervical vessels (Dopplerography).

Treatment

The choice of treatment methods depends on the diagnosis and the causes of photosensitivity. An ophthalmologist, a neurologist, an endocrinologist, an infectious disease specialist, an allergist, and, in children, a pediatrician may participate in the treatment of the patient.

If the symptom is provoked by a cold, symptomatic therapy is prescribed: antiviral, antipyretic, immunostimulating drugs. Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, vasoconstrictor solutions are used locally for instillation into the conjunctival sac.

In case of a severe allergic reaction, a course of oral antihistamines, antiallergic eye drops (Kromofarm), and hydrocortisone ointment for the eyelids is prescribed.

If photosensitivity occurs as a side effect of taking previously prescribed medications, you should consult a doctor.

It is not advisable to discontinue the medication on your own. This is especially true for antibiotics. Interruption of antimicrobial therapy may provoke the development of resistance (resistance) of the bacterial flora, which will complicate further treatment.

Patients with severe infections (meningitis, encephalitis) are treated only in a hospital setting under the continuous supervision of doctors.

If photophobia is caused by prolonged work at the computer, use vasoconstrictor drops (Vizin, Visoptic). They eliminate discomfort, redness, pain, and lacrimation. For dry mucous membranes, moisturizing solutions and tear fluid substitutes - Systane, Khilozar-komod, Artelak, Vidisik - are indicated.

Prevention

Preventive measures to prevent the development of photosensitivity of the eyes are needed not only for patients with a predisposition, but for all people without exception.

The basis of prevention is the protection of the fragile structures of the eye from the radioactive effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

There is a myth that photosensitivity, which appears due to direct sunlight on the retina, leads to irreversible blindness. It's a delusion. Bright light can temporarily reduce the quality of vision and cause darkening of the eyes. After which vision is successfully restored.

Rules of behavior in everyday life that will help protect your eyes from the negative influence of the environment and prevent the development of photophobia:

wearing sunglasses in clear weather;
compliance with the computer work schedule (every 40–50 minutes, take a break for 5 minutes, get up from your workplace, do not look at the monitor);
increase physical activity for schoolchildren and adolescents;
adjust your daily routine and diet;
undergo preventive examinations with an ophthalmologist once a year.

Photosensitivity is not dangerous to vision and health in general. Every person faces this symptom. To minimize the manifestations of photophobia, it is necessary to temporarily avoid bright light sources, re-equip the workplace - curtain the window with protective film, reduce the contrast on the computer monitor, remove the desk lamp, and leave general ceiling lighting.