Light-sensitivity doesn't just come from the eyes
Many people have experienced sunlight, fluorescent lights or phone screens suddenly becoming brighter and more uncomfortable than usual. Although often thought to be due to weak eyes, experts say the real cause is sometimes related to how the brain processes light.
Dr. Shiva Kumar HR - neurologist at Gleneagles BGS Hospital in Bengaluru, India - said that light sensitivity is often accompanied by many other changes in the body instead of appearing alone.
According to Dr. Kumar, migraines are one of the most common causes. Many people may feel uncomfortable with light even before the headache appears. In some cases, the headache is not too obvious, but the feeling of fear of light lasts for many hours.
In addition, the continuous use of electronic devices for a long time also makes the eyes and brain more sensitive. This condition often appears at the end of the day after many hours of working in front of a computer or phone screen.
Dry eyes, mild irritation on the corneal surface are also common causes. Patients may feel tingling, red eyes, or watery eyes when exposed to strong light.
When do you need to see a doctor?
Experts warn that in some cases, light sensitivity may be associated with eye inflammation or more serious neurological diseases.
According to Dr. Shiva Kumar HR, if this condition is accompanied by eye pain, blurred vision or prolonged red eyes, patients should go for examination to rule out the risk of infection or keratitis.
Lack of sleep, prolonged stress and fatigue can also make the brain more sensitive to light. At that time, even if the intensity of light does not change, the patient still feels dazed and uncomfortable.
Notably, sudden light phobia accompanied by fever, severe headache, stiff neck, or confusion may be warning signs of meningitis, a condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Doctors recommend that people pay attention to the time when symptoms appear, such as after long-term use of the screen, lack of sleep or headaches. Monitoring related signs will help determine the cause more accurately.
To reduce discomfort, experts recommend limiting continuous screen viewing, regular eye rest, getting enough sleep and keeping the working environment bright enough. If symptoms last for many days or become increasingly serious, patients need to be examined early instead of self-treated at home.
