What should you know about sensitivity to light is called?

Photophobia may cause squinting, eye watering, a need for sunglasses, or discomfort from screens and indoor lighting. It can occur with migraine, eye irritation, inflammation, or infection. Conjunctivitis may cause light discomfort alongside redness and discharge. Meningitis is uncommon but can be serious, particularly when light sensitivity occurs with fever, severe headache, stiff neck, vomiting, confusion, or a rash. The symptom alone does not identify its cause.

Reduce glare without sitting in complete darkness, lower screen brightness, take screen breaks, and wear comfortable sunglasses outdoors. Rest in a quiet room if light triggers a migraine. Do not use leftover eye drops, especially drops containing medicine, unless a clinician recommends them. Note whether one or both eyes are affected, when the symptom began, pain or vision changes, redness, discharge, headache, fever, and any recent injury or new medicine.

Get urgent medical help for sudden severe headache, stiff neck, fever, confusion, fainting, a new rash, severe eye pain, sudden vision loss, an eye injury, or marked vomiting. Arrange prompt assessment for new persistent photophobia, a red painful eye, worsening symptoms, or light sensitivity with blurred vision. Migraine can cause light sensitivity, but a new or unusual pattern still deserves clinical review.

Could this be migraine or an eye problem? Do I need an eye examination? Which changes in vision require urgent care? Are my medicines or contact lenses contributing?