Severe headache with light sensitivity

Light sensitivity means ordinary indoor light or daylight feels uncomfortable and may worsen the pain. Migraine commonly presents with head pain and light sensitivity, sometimes with nausea, sound sensitivity, or visual symptoms. Eye inflammation can also make light painful, especially when an eye is red or vision is blurred. Meningitis is less common but can present with headache, fever, light sensitivity, and neck stiffness; symptoms and examination are needed to distinguish causes.

Rest in a dim, quiet room and reduce screen brightness. Drink fluids if you are able, and record the onset, duration, pain location, visual changes, fever, vomiting, and any recent head injury. Avoid driving while vision or concentration is affected. Arrange medical advice promptly if the pain is severe, unfamiliar, worsening, or not settling with your usual plan.

Call emergency services for a headache that reaches peak intensity suddenly, follows a head injury, or comes with weakness, confusion, fainting, seizure, difficulty speaking, or new loss of vision. Go urgently for fever with a stiff neck, repeated vomiting, a painful red eye, or marked drowsiness. These features need examination rather than home monitoring.

Ask whether the pattern fits migraine, whether your eyes and neurological function need checking, and which treatment is suitable for your other medicines and health conditions.