What Does Light Sensitivity Feel Like With Migraine?

Sunlight, fluorescent bulbs, phone screens and flickering lights may feel harsh or trigger a need to shut the eyes. Some people describe the discomfort as glare, pressure or pain rather than simple brightness. It can occur before, during or after head pain, and sound or movement may also feel harder to tolerate. Migraine-related sensitivity reflects changes in how the nervous system processes sensory signals. Light sensitivity can occur with other conditions too, so a new pattern should not be labelled as migraine without clinical context.

Move to a calm, dim room and lower screen brightness without staring at a screen. Rest, sip fluids if you can, and use the migraine plan already agreed with your clinician. Regular meals, sleep and breaks from visual strain may help prevent some attacks. Sunglasses can be useful outdoors, but wearing dark lenses continuously indoors may make light tolerance harder for some people. Keep a brief record of light triggers, timing, head pain, nausea and any aura.

Get emergency help for a sudden explosive headache, new weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, fainting, seizure, confusion, persistent vision loss or fever with a stiff neck. Seek prompt review if the headache follows a head injury, is unlike your usual attacks, keeps worsening or occurs with a painful red eye. Pregnancy, a weakened immune system or a significant change in an established pattern also warrants timely medical advice.

Does my pattern fit migraine with or without aura? Which early symptoms should prompt my treatment plan? Could a medicine, eye problem or another headache type be contributing? How should I record triggers and decide when an attack needs review?