When should you see a doctor about light sensitivity?

Light sensitivity, also called photophobia, can occur when the eye surface is irritated or inflamed, during a migraine, or with an infection. Conjunctivitis may cause redness and discharge. A foreign body in the eye can cause gritty discomfort, watering, and sensitivity. Meningitis is uncommon but can cause light sensitivity alongside fever, severe headache, stiff neck, vomiting, drowsiness, or confusion.

Rest your eyes in softer lighting and use sunglasses outdoors if they help, while avoiding prolonged darkness that makes returning to normal light harder. Do not rub the eye or try to remove an embedded object. Remove contact lenses if the eye is uncomfortable and avoid wearing them until advised. Record headache, redness, discharge, visual changes, fever, and any recent injury or new medicine.

Get urgent help for sudden or severe eye pain, a marked change in vision, an injured or chemically exposed eye, severe headache with fever or stiff neck, confusion, repeated vomiting, or unusual drowsiness. Arrange an appointment when sensitivity persists, recurs, affects one eye, or occurs with redness, discharge, halos, or pain.

Ask whether the symptoms fit an eye problem or migraine, whether your vision and eye surface need examination, whether medicines or contact lenses could contribute, and which changes need emergency assessment.