What should you know about keratoconus and light sensitivity?

Keratoconus causes the cornea to become thinner and more cone-shaped over time. Its uneven surface can create glare, halos, ghost images and changing glasses prescriptions. Bright sunlight, headlights or screens may then feel harsh. Light sensitivity is a symptom, not proof that keratoconus is the cause.

Other conditions can produce light sensitivity. Conjunctivitis may bring redness and discharge; migraine can cause light intolerance with headache or nausea; meningitis is uncommon but needs urgent attention when light sensitivity occurs with severe headache, fever, neck stiffness or confusion.

Use sunglasses outdoors, reduce glare, and take breaks from bright screens without rubbing your eyes. Arrange an optometry or eye-clinic assessment if light sensitivity is new, persistent, or paired with changing vision. A clinician can check corneal shape and vision and discuss options such as updated lenses or specialist treatment.

Seek urgent care for sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, a very red eye, injury, intense headache, fever, neck stiffness, vomiting or confusion. These features are not explained by keratoconus alone and should be assessed promptly.

Ask whether the corneal shape has changed, whether your prescription needs updating, how to control glare safely, whether eye rubbing may worsen symptoms, and which changes should trigger urgent review.