My eye is very sensitive to light

Photophobia means ordinary light feels uncomfortable or painful. It can occur when the eye surface is dry or irritated, including with contact lens wear, dust, smoke, or prolonged screen use. It may also accompany a migraine, a scratched cornea, conjunctivitis, or inflammation inside the eye. Notice whether one or both eyes are affected, whether redness or discharge is present, and whether vision has changed. A light-sensitive eye does not by itself identify the cause.

Rest your eyes in softer indoor light and use sunglasses outdoors without keeping the room dark all day. Do not rub the eye, wear contact lenses, or use someone else’s eye drops. A clean cool compress may ease surface discomfort. If symptoms follow an injury, chemical splash, or foreign body, rinse with clean running water and arrange urgent medical advice. A clinician can examine the cornea and other eye structures and recommend appropriate drops or treatment.

Seek urgent assessment for severe pain, sudden blurred or reduced vision, marked redness, halos around lights, nausea with eye pain, a new unequal pupil, or light sensitivity after an injury. Same-day advice is sensible when the symptom is new, affects one eye, or comes with discharge. If mild sensitivity keeps returning, book an eye or medical review so the trigger can be identified.

Could dryness, contact lenses, migraine, or inflammation explain this symptom? Does the cornea look scratched or infected? Should I stop a current eye product, and what warning signs should make me seek urgent help?