Photophobia is a fairly common symptom. For many people, photophobia is not due to any underlying disease. Severe photophobia may be associated with eye problems and cause severe eye pain even in relatively low light.

• Excessive wearing of contact lenses, or wearing badly fitted contact lenses
• Eye disease, injury, or infection (such as chalazion, episcleritis, glaucoma )
• Burns to the eye
• Common migraine headache
• Meningitis
• Acute iritis or uveitis (inflammation inside eye)
• Corneal abrasion
• Corneal ulcer
• Drugs such as amphetamines, atropine, cocaine, cyclopentolate, idoxuridine, phenylephrine, scopolamine, trifluridine, tropicamide, and vidarabine
• Eye testing in which the eyes have been dilated

The discomfort of light sensitivity can be reduced by avoiding sunlight, closing the eyes, wearing dark glasses, or darkening the room. However, the cause for the light sensitivity should be determined, since proper treatment may cure the problem. Seek urgent medical attention if pain is moderate to severe in low-light conditions.

• Light sensitivity is severe -- for instance, if you need to wear sunglasses indoors.
• Sensitivity is accompanied by headaches, red eye or blurred vision.
• Sensitivity to light does not go away in a day or two.

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting the sensitivity to light in detail may include:

• Time pattern
  • When did this begin?
  • Is the sensitivity to light constant or occasional?
• Quality
  • How severe is the sensitivity?
  • Are dark glasses needed?
  • Are darkened rooms needed?
• Aggravating factors
  • Have the pupils recently been dilated with medications?
  • Do you use contact lenses?
  • Do you have headaches?
  • Do you use soaps, lotions, or cosmetics around your eyes?
  • Have you had an exposure to dust, wind, sun, pollens, or chemicals?
• Relieving factors
  • Is it better after you rest?
  • Is it better when you wear dark glasses?
  • Is it better when you are in darkened rooms?
  • Do any medications make it better?
• Other
  • What other symptoms are also present?
    • Pain in the eye
    • Headache
    • Nausea
    • Neck stiffness
    • Blurred vision
    • Sore or wound in eye
    • Redness
    • Itching
    • Swelling
    • Dizziness
    • Numbness or tingling elsewhere in the body
    • Changes in hearing
• Additional important information
  • What medications are being taken?
  • Have you had any injuries?
  • Do you have a history of migraine headaches?
  • Do you use "street drugs"?

The physical examination may include a neurological examination performed with special attention to the eyes.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• Corneal scraping
• Slit-lamp examination
• Lumbar puncture

Again, in most cases, the cause is relatively minor and can easily be treated. However, you should be evaluated by an eye doctor or your primary doctor if the symptoms are severe or persistent.