What should you know about myopia and light sensitivity?

Myopia, also called short-sightedness, happens when the eye focuses images in front of the retina, making far-away signs or faces look blurred. Light sensitivity, or photophobia, is discomfort or pain in bright light. They can occur together, but one does not automatically cause the other. Eye surface irritation, inflammation, migraine and some medicines may cause light sensitivity. Conjunctivitis can cause red, watery or gritty eyes with discomfort around light. The pattern, speed of onset and any vision change help guide assessment.

Use your prescribed glasses or contact lenses and avoid wearing contacts while the eye is red, painful or producing discharge. Reduce glare with a hat, sunglasses outdoors and softer indoor lighting, but do not stay in darkness all day. Take screen breaks, keep screens at a comfortable brightness and avoid rubbing your eyes. Arrange an eye examination to check refraction, the eye surface and the back of the eye, particularly if the symptom is persistent or affects daily activities.

Get urgent medical help for sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, a marked new headache, halos, vomiting, an eye injury, or a red painful eye with strong light sensitivity. Light sensitivity with fever, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion or a seizure can occur with meningitis and needs emergency assessment. A first severe episode or rapidly worsening symptoms should not wait for a routine glasses check.

Ask whether your glasses prescription has changed, whether the cornea or eye surface looks irritated, and whether migraine could explain the pattern. Tell the clinician when the sensitivity began, whether one or both eyes are affected, and whether redness, discharge, headache or medication changes accompany it.