How is photophobia treated?

Light sensitivity is a symptom rather than one diagnosis. Migraine, conjunctivitis, a scratched or dry cornea, contact-lens problems and medicine effects can require different approaches. Treatment cannot be chosen safely from the symptom alone.

A clinician may check the eye surface, pupils and vision, and ask about headaches, injury, discharge and medication changes. The aim is to identify the trigger and prevent avoidable irritation.

Reduce glare with sunglasses outdoors, a hat, curtains or indirect indoor lighting. Lower screen brightness, enlarge text and take regular breaks. Lubricating drops may help some dry-eye symptoms, but choose them with pharmacist or clinician guidance, particularly if you wear lenses.

Do not patch the eye, use steroid drops, or borrow another person's prescription. If migraine is the pattern, a clinician can discuss an individual plan for attacks and prevention. Treating conjunctivitis or another eye condition requires the treatment suited to its cause.

Obtain urgent assessment for severe eye pain, sudden vision change, injury, a very red eye, halos with headache, fever, stiff neck, confusion or repeated vomiting. Contact-lens wearers with pain or vision change should remove the lenses and seek prompt advice.

Ask what cause is most consistent with your pattern, which drops or pain medicines are suitable, how long to try supportive measures, and which changes should trigger a faster review.