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Photophobia – Or Eye Sensitivity To Light

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Sun rays in summer are a real burden for each of us. Mirrors, glass, windows that reflect sunlight are attacking us at every step. Here is all you need to know and what steps you can take to control photophobia..

When out from darkness to light or vice versa, the eye take some time to adjust, which causes some discomfort. But when it comes to pain, irritation, tearing, headache, this means that you have a real problem with the light!

Photophobia is worthy of all medical attention and require a complete eye examination, and appropriate treatment.

Behind the sensitivity of the eyes there are some problems that’s not good to ignore:

Eye Diseases: such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis, or eyelid infection, uveitis, or inflammation of tissue below the eye, glaucoma, myopia, the corneal scratches, foreign bodies. In principle, any condition, no matter how minor it may cause photophobia.

Generalized diseases: measles, arthritis and other inflammatory diseases may be accompanied by diseases of the eye such as keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), uveitis, which eventually accentuate eye sensitivity to light.

Some drugs: most drugs administered directly into the eye causes a more or less pronounced sensitivity. Otherwise, those drugs for high blood pressure can trigger photophobia in most people.

Contact lenses: they can produce some micro-traumatisms at eye level, which in time may also cause of photosensitivity.

External factors: some gas (tear), hot and dry wind, fog, smoke.

Cataracts: without being particularly photophobia in the case, as there is pain, some types of cataracts is manifested by tearing.

What to do at the moment you feel that you want to keep your eyes open?

– Put your sunglasses on your eyes! It is preferable that they have lateral protection also.
– Avoid rubbing your eyes because this is making your situation worse.
– Apply cold compresses on your eyes and take a painkiller, but not before to seek a specialist opinion.
– And last but not least, identify triggers and try to correct them.

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