Photophobia and blue eyes: what to know

The iris controls how much light enters the eye. Lighter irises contain less pigment, so some people with blue eyes find strong sunlight or glare uncomfortable. This can be a long-standing sensitivity rather than an illness.

Light sensitivity can also accompany migraine, conjunctivitis, corneal irritation, medication effects or other eye problems. Eye pain, redness, blurred vision or a sudden change matters more than eye colour when deciding how quickly to seek care.

Use sunglasses that block ultraviolet light outdoors, choose a brimmed hat, and reduce glare from screens without sitting in complete darkness. Increase screen comfort with lower brightness, regular breaks and appropriate viewing distance. Keep a note of triggers, duration and associated headache, redness or visual change.

If sensitivity is new, persistent or interfering with normal activities, arrange an eye or primary-care assessment. Do not use someone else's eye drops, especially products intended to treat redness.

Get urgent help for sudden severe eye pain, a marked loss or change in vision, a very red eye, injury, severe headache with vomiting, confusion, fever, stiff neck or a new rash. These symptoms can accompany serious eye or neurological conditions.

Ask whether your iris colour is likely contributing, whether the cornea and pupils need examination, and whether headache, medicines or contact-lens use could explain the change.