Headache and photophobia: what to know

Photophobia means that ordinary indoor or outdoor light feels uncomfortable or painful. Migraine commonly presents with a throbbing or pressing headache, nausea, and a need to rest in a dark, quiet room. Eye inflammation, conjunctivitis, or an uncorrected vision problem can also make light difficult to tolerate. A viral illness may add headache and sensitivity to light. The symptom pattern does not identify one diagnosis by itself.

A sudden severe headache, fever, stiff neck, confusion, fainting, weakness, trouble speaking, or a new rash needs urgent assessment because meningitis and other neurological emergencies can begin this way.

Rest in a dim room, reduce screen brightness, drink fluids, and eat if you have missed a meal. A cool cloth over closed eyes may be soothing. Avoid driving while light or vision is impaired. Keep a note of when the headache began, its location, severity, triggers, and whether nausea, vomiting, eye redness, fever, or visual changes occur. A clinician or pharmacist can advise which pain relief is suitable for you, especially if you are pregnant, have another illness, or take regular medicines.

Seek emergency care for a sudden explosive headache, headache after a head injury, new weakness or numbness, seizure, confusion, fainting, severe vomiting, fever with a stiff neck, or marked vision loss. Arrange prompt medical review for a first or worsening episode, repeated attacks, persistent photophobia, or pain with a red or very painful eye. Do not use someone else’s eye drops.

Ask what features suggest migraine rather than an eye problem, whether your medicines or vision could contribute, and what warning signs should change your plan. Take your symptom notes and a list of medicines to the appointment.