Photosensitivity of the eyes. Photophobia of the eyes: causes in an adult

Photosensitivity of the eyes is an uncomfortable condition that manifests itself under artificial or daylight conditions. During twilight and night time this condition disappears.

Photosensitivity (the second name for photophobia) can occur in the presence of certain factors:

• taking medications that do not cause the pupil to constrict;
• working conditions causing unfavorable factors;
• individual bad habits;
• constant watching of television;
• corneal burn;
• congenital absence of iris pigment;
• with red-green blindness (color blindness);
• intensive work at the computer;
• hereditary predisposition;
• incorrectly selected contact lenses;
• eye diseases.

A short reaction of the eyes to a sudden change in lighting (transition from a dark room to a brightly lit one, etc.) within a few seconds or minutes is considered within the limits of standard functionality. In winter, snow sensitivity can last longer.

But if the problem continues for several hours, involuntary lacrimation appears, a feeling of pain in the eyes, pain, squinting, then this is the first sign of some disorder affecting the visual system. Sudden changes in lighting can cause headaches. The problem requires an immediate solution and consultation with an ophthalmologist.

Symptoms of photophobia

Increased photosensitivity may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

• headaches;
• involuntary release of tears;
• dilated pupils;
• hyperemia;
• unclear outlines of objects;
• reduced level of visual acuity;
• feeling of “sand” in the eyes.

For each of the symptoms, it is possible to presumably establish the causes of the disease.

Tearing

Along with fear of light, it occurs in diseases:

Injuries of mechanical origin - due to impact, foreign bodies and soap solutions (soap, shampoo) are accompanied by:

• pain in the affected organ;
• unclear, making it difficult to examine objects;
• constriction of the pupil.

Damage to the cornea - occurs with allergic reactions, infectious eye diseases, ulcers and erosions, burns and differs:

• discharge of pus;
• pain syndrome;
• independent closure of the eyelids;
• decreased quality of vision;
• sensations of foreign substances under the eyelid;
• hyperemia;
• decreased level of transparency of the corneal layer.

Migraines - pathology manifests itself:

• painful sensations in one part of the head;
• bilateral photophobia;
• nausea;
• intolerance to harsh sounds;
• lacrimation.

The following ailments are also accompanied by lacrimation:

• conjunctivitis;
• infection of the trigeminal nerve with herpes infection;
• for ARVI, influenza;
• abnormal eye development;
• chronic retinitis;
• retinal melanoma;
• violations of normative metabolism and fluid movement in eyeballs Oh;
• intraocular hemorrhages;
• paralytic conditions of the oculomotor nerves;
• lack of melanin;
• enhanced functionality thyroid gland;
• hemorrhagic strokes;
• meningitis;
• encephalitis.

Increase in body temperature

The combination of high temperature and photophobia occurs when:

• meningitis;
• encephalitis;
• endophthalmitis;
• with purulent etiology;
• hemorrhagic stroke;
• trigeminal neuralgia;

In some cases, an increase in temperature indicates a brain abscess, manifested in paralysis facial nerves, asymmetry of facial muscles.

Headache

Diseases reported: migraines, abscess, acromegaly, meningitis, encephalitis, acute glaucoma, stroke. Accompanied by compression syndrome – the patient’s personal sensations of “head in a hoop”.

Nausea

Intoxication of the body or increased intracranial pressure indicates the presence of hemorrhagic stroke, encephalitis, migraine, brain abscess, meningitis.

Pain syndrome

Acute cutting pain in the eyes indicates possible pathological conditions - uveitis, keratitis, burns, ulcerative lesions of the cornea, conjunctivitis, astigmatism, trigeminal neuralgia, blepharitis.

Children's period and photosensitivity of the eyes

The main root cause of photophobia in childhood is considered to be a congenital pathological condition in which the pigment melanin is absent. Its insufficient presence in the iris can also provoke photophobia.

There are a number of childhood diseases that can cause these symptoms:

1. Conjunctivitis - of different types (allergic or bacterial origin), causing inflammatory processes in the mucous membranes of the eyes, the main symptoms of which are photophobia and excessive lacrimation.
2. Motor nerve palsy - occurs with drooping of the upper eyelid, in which the pupil does not change its size and is not able to adapt to changes in overhead lighting. The causes of this disease are multiple, but all cause increased photosensitivity.
3. Acrodynia - characterized by a pink tint to the skin of the hands and feet, with a sticky feeling when touched. Against the background of high sweating, increased blood pressure photosensitivity is formed.
4. Ophthalmopathy of endocrine origin - disruption of the functionality of the thyroid gland leads to manifestations of specific symptoms - sensations of foreign bodies in the eyes, pressure on them and photophobia.
5. with tuberculosis-allergic etiology - if children have tuberculosis lymph nodes, the pulmonary system affects one of the eyes.

Any manifestations of fear of light in children - closing their eyes, refusing to go out into the sun, watery eyes - should seek help from a pediatric ophthalmologist. Timely treatment will help preserve the child’s vision and avoid blindness.

Self-medication in childhood It is strictly prohibited; the use of any eye drops, solutions and ointments is fraught with complications. Without determining the root cause of the development of photosensitivity, no doctor will prescribe treatment; the pediatrician will recommend consultation with an ophthalmologist and other specialists.

Children's eye health is more fragile than that of adults. Insufficient development of the visual organs often requires treatment of diseases in a hospital setting.

Diagnosis of the disease

When contacting medical institution The patient is sent for the following manipulations:

• ophthalmoscopy - examination of the fundus of the eyes using a pupil that is previously dilated with drugs containing atropine;
• biomicroscopy - search for degenerations vitreous and sections of the fundus of the eye through a specialized slit lamp;
• perimetry – determination of visual fields;
• – aimed at level measurement;
• gonioscopy - viewing the border of the iris and cornea;
• pachymetry – measurement of corneal volumes;
• – if it is impossible to conduct a standard examination of the fundus of the eyes;
• angiography - to determine the patency of the vessels through which the ocular structures are nourished;
• optical tomography – to identify changes in the tissue components of the retina;
• PCR – tests for viral, bacterial and fungal pathogens from the conjunctival sac.

If all of the above research methods do not produce results and show standard indicators, the patient is referred to a consultation with a neurologist. With further appointment:

• MRG of the brain;
• electroencephalography;
• Dopplerography - examination of the vessels of the neck;
• Ultrasound of the thyroid gland;
• hormone tests;
• X-ray studies of the pulmonary system.

At positive results further treatment is carried out by an endocrinologist, in case of lesions due to tuberculosis - by a phthisiatrician.

Treatment of hypersensitive eyes

The effectiveness of treatment lies in the correct identification of the original source of this disease with the prescription of symptomatic remedies that can relieve not only the disease itself, but also its manifestations. During therapeutic manipulations, the patient is recommended to follow certain rules to facilitate general condition:

• on bright sunny days, wearing specialized glasses that do not transmit ultraviolet radiation, sold in ophthalmic pharmacy chains;
• if the body reacts to a certain type of drug, it can be replaced with prior consultation with an ophthalmologist and with his approval;
• a temporary type of photosensitivity of receptors is treated with eye drops and ointments based on drugs with antiviral, antibacterial and moisturizing spectrums of action.

Congenital diseases that cause constant photosensitivity require wearing protective tinted glasses, special purpose or similar contact lenses. With their help, discomfort in the eyes is reduced, and general level the patient's life.

Selection of such aids protection should be handled by the attending physician. Carrying it on your own, without prior consultation, can worsen the course of the disease, causing additional unpleasant symptoms. Which will subsequently require independent treatment.

Preventive actions

To prevent recurrence of the disease in the future, you must adhere to the following requirements:

• constant adherence to hygiene rules - washing hands, avoiding touching the eyes with dirty scarves, towels, etc.;
• When working with welding equipment, it is mandatory to use special glasses and protective masks;
• for persistent dry eye syndrome, instill drops that match the composition of your own tears;
• do therapeutic exercises for the eyes every day, the methods of which will be introduced to you by an ophthalmologist;
• use sunglasses when going out into the bright sun, with the “ultraviolet protection” function, do not purchase glasses and contact lenses in dubious places, but only in specialized institutions.

Timely contact with a highly qualified specialist will reduce the healing time and eliminate relapses of this disease and the occurrence of related ones. Children who have been diagnosed with photosensitivity to the eyes must undergo mandatory examination at least twice a year and have their own protective glasses and contact lenses.

Application of methods traditional medicine when treating this disease it is not recommended - the results are not predictable, and the consequences can be dangerous not only for visual acuity, but also for possible loss of vision in the future.

A symptom such as photophobia gives a person a lot of unpleasant sensations. In this case, any ray of light, daylight or artificial, on the area of ​​the eyeball brings a feeling of discomfort, and sometimes even acute pain. Sometimes this manifestation is accompanied by lacrimation and redness of the eyes. What are the causes of photophobia? What to do in this case?

Definition of disease

Photophobia, or photophobia, is called discomfort in the eyes that appears in conditions of artificial and natural lighting. At the same time, at dusk or in complete darkness, the eyes of a sick person feel normal.

Photophobia should be distinguished from a pathological fear of exposure to the sun, which is called heliophobia and is a mental illness that is in no way related to disruption of the functioning of the visual organs.

Causes

There is congenital photophobia, in which the eye reacts to daylight or artificial light due to a lack of melanin pigment or its complete absence in organism.

The causes of photophobia can be completely different:

• Diseases of the organs of vision;
• Features of the structure of the eyes (for example, albinism);
• General diseases;
• Adverse Impact environment(excess UV radiation).

Increased eye sensitivity to light can be caused by taking certain medications. For example, for effective diagnostics In the fundus, doctors instill drugs into the eyes that dilate the pupil, as a result of which the retina is exposed to increased exposure to light rays for some time.

• Photophobia can also become a side reaction to taking medications such as:
• Quinine;
• Doxycycline;
• Belladonna;

In recent years, the cause of photophobia of the eyes has increasingly become long stay at the computer (“computer syndrome”). Increased sensitivity of the eyes to light and wind occurs against the background of constant drying out and visual stress.

Some diseases can also cause a heightened reaction to light in the eyes, such as:

• Ulcers and damage to the cornea;
• Tumors;
• (inflammation of the cornea);
• Iritis (inflammation of the iris);
• Meningitis;
• Diseases of the central nervous system;
• Acute attack;
• Refractive eye surgery.

Photophobia can also occur due to damage to the eye by bright light (for example, with snow ophthalmia, welding without glasses, when looking at the sun, etc.).

Can lead to photophobia long wearing lenses, especially if they were incorrectly selected. In rare cases, doctors encounter photophobia caused by botulism, mercury poisoning, chronic fatigue, and depression.

Symptoms

A person suffering from photophobia, when exposed to an illuminated space, squints, closes his eyes, and tries to protect his eyes from the light with his hands. When wearing sunglasses the situation improves slightly. Increased photosensitivity may be accompanied by additional symptoms, such as:

• Headache;
• Pupil dilation;
• Redness of the eyes;
• Feeling of “sand” or “stinging” in the eyes;
• Impaired visual acuity;
• Unclear outlines of objects.

If you increase sensitivity to light, you should not delay consulting a doctor, as this symptom may hide a malignant brain tumor that progresses quickly.

Treatment

When contacting a medical institution with a problem of photophobia, the ophthalmologist will definitely diagnose eye diseases. If photophobia is accompanied by fever, vomiting or allergic manifestations, you should also visit an infectious disease specialist or therapist to find out the cause.

Medically

It is useless to treat photophobia without identifying the cause and underlying pathology. Often this symptom goes away on its own when the irritating factor is eliminated or the underlying disease recovers. Photophobia can be reduced by wearing dark sunglasses and anti-inflammatory eye drops.

Such measures will help reduce discomfort and lead a normal lifestyle during the treatment of the underlying disease. inflammatory disease any part of the eyeball, then after eliminating the source of inflammation, photophobia will go away on its own.

Read about the causes of pain in the eyes.

For purulent discharge, it is necessary to use drops with antiseptics or antibiotics, for example, Okomistin, Levomycetin drops, Tobradex, etc.

If photophobia occurs as a result of a bruise, injury or burn to the eye, urgent ophthalmological assistance will be required. You can first drip your eyes with antiseptic drops and apply a sterile bandage on top.

In the event that such a violation is associated with hitting foreign body or pollution, then after eliminating the negative factor and rehabilitation of the injured organ, the disease can also go away on its own.

Sometimes photophobia is caused by the development of any infectious diseases not related to work visual system and its normal functioning. In this case, treatment should be aimed at treating the underlying disease that provoked photophobia.

If photophobia is caused by taking certain medications, then the doctor will select an analogue that will not provoke such a reaction to light.

In case of congenital photophobia or associated with environmental factors, the doctor may recommend wearing contact lenses that minimize negative reaction to the light.

Read about tunnel vision.

It should be remembered that correct diagnosis Only an ophthalmologist can diagnose it, so a consultation with a doctor will guarantee effective treatment of photophobia.

Folk remedies

Read in detail about headaches in the forehead and eyes.

Eye diseases can be treated not only with medications, but also traditional methods. We offer several recipes that can eliminate or reduce discomfort, including the symptom of photophobia:

• Compress and infusion of Potentilla erecta. This plant helps cure many eye diseases, including eliminating photophobia, as well as improving vision. To prepare a compress, you will need 1 teaspoon of herb, which needs to be filled with 200 ml of water. The broth should be brought to a boil, then let it brew for 3 hours. You should rinse your eyes with this infusion before going to bed. The compress will also help good effect. Soak sterile gauze wipes with the infusion and apply to your eyes for half an hour.
• Sweet clover compress. The flowering tops of this plant should be collected in July. Pour 40 g of sweet clover with 200 ml of water and boil over low heat for 15 minutes. Cool the product, strain and apply swabs soaked in it in the morning and evening for 30 minutes.
• Drops on “silver water”. Boil and cool water, pour into a glass jar. Place some silverware there (coins or cutlery). Leave the water for a week, during which time it will become enriched with silver ions. Then take 4 large aloe leaves (the plant must be over 3 years old) and place in the same container. Bring the water to a boil, remove from heat, and wrap the pan in a large towel and blanket. The remedy should be infused until the morning. Strain the broth in the morning, then add 2 teaspoons of natural honey and stir until completely dissolved. Place 2 drops in each eye 3 times a day. The course of treatment ranges from 1 week to six months. Such drops will relieve photophobia, eye inflammation, cataracts, and also improve vision. They need to be stored in the refrigerator.
• Sea buckthorn oil. It will help get rid of photophobia. The first two days you need to drop 1 drop of oil into the eye every 2 hours. And then 2 drops up to 3 times a day. It can also be used for compresses. Soak cotton pads in sea buckthorn oil and apply to eyelids for half an hour, 2 times a day.
• Calendula with chamomile. Mix calendula and chamomile flowers. Pour a spoonful of the mixture with boiling water (250 ml) and leave for 1 hour. Strain the infusion. Rinse your eyes several times a day or use the infusion for compresses. You can also drop the product into your eyes, 2 drops 3 times a day.

Read about divergent strabismus in.

If, despite the use of traditional recipes, photophobia does not go away within 7 days, you should consult an ophthalmologist.

Prevention

Photophobia is a very relevant problem in our time. Every person who wants to preserve their vision and health in general should know and adhere to following measures prevention:

• Undergo regular preventive examinations with an ophthalmologist and other specialists;
• News healthy image life;
• Do not overload or injure the visual organs.

Video

Photophobia is the increased sensitivity of the visual organs to bright lighting. The cause of photophobia of the eyes can be both illness and prolonged exposure of a person in a room with no lighting. Damage may also occur due to intake some medicines . Most often, a noticeable dilation of the pupils is observed, which refers to the reason for the sun's rays hitting the retina.

Reasons for the development of the lesion

The oculomotor nerve is responsible for regulating pupil size indicator to ensure normal vision of surrounding objects when varying degrees illumination around. The entry of light through the refractive system into the retina is limited by the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The action of the first can lead to a noticeable dilation of the pupil, and the second to its narrowing. In a dark room, the pupil begins to increase in diameter, and in light it becomes smaller.

Photophobia is a sign that the pupil is external environment hits too much light, which negatively affects the nervous system, causing the pupil to react with irritation. Bright rays can provoke headaches, epilepsy attacks, other negative feelings.

Causes of photophobia:

• development of a migraine attack, increased levels intracranial pressure for epilepsy, hypertension, eclampsia in pregnant women;
• alcohol intoxication, drug intoxication, hangover;
• exposure to medications that significantly dilate the pupil;
• pathologies in the central nervous system due to traumatic brain injuries, tumors, neuroinfections, strokes and multiple sclerosis;
• allergic infections and respiratory diseases;
• albinism;
• eye diseases: conjunctiva, iris or cornea;
• pathology in the circular muscle, which narrows the pupil after injuries and various tumors.

This list is far from complete, there is a large number of diseases, which cause photophobia. Photophobia is more typical for attacks of epilepsy, traumatic brain injuries, encephalitis and other diseases that occur along with cerebral edema, eye damage and injuries that develop intolerance to bright sun rays.

Main symptoms of photophobia

Sunlight or other too bright light sources can cause pain in the head and eyes. If you have photosensitive epilepsy, you may develop seizures. Photophobia of the eyes may occur along with symptoms such as:

• itching of the conjunctiva;
• lacrimation;
• dizziness and rapid heartbeat;
• deterioration of visual acuity, white spots when looking into the distance;
• the process of salivation, the development of epilepsy with foam.

With traumatic brain injury, epilepsy or eclampsia may occur seizures, which occur due to sunlight, odors and sharp sounds emanating from the external environment.

Photophobia and lacrimation

The development of photophobia and lacrimation may indicate the presence of a special lesion of the lacrimal glands and lacrimal ducts. With the development of such a lesion, the sensitivity index to the light, and lacrimation increases in the wind or in the cold. If such symptoms are combined, this indicates the presence of the following diseases.

Mechanical injury

If there is an eye injury, the person may complain of a feeling that a foreign body has entered the eye or has been swipe , eye penetration may also occur chemical solutions(soap or shampoo). In this case there is:

• constriction of the pupil;
• severe lacrimation;
• when looking at nearby objects, blurriness or a veil appears before the eyes;
• Pain in the eyes;
• high sensitivity to light.

All these symptoms can be found in the damaged eye.

Deformation of the cornea of ​​the eye

The process of inflammation of the membrane of the eye, or keratitis, which is of infectious (including herpetic) or allergic origin, retinal burn, erosion or ulcers. All this provokes similar symptoms, so it’s important to distinguish exact reason diseases can only be diagnosed by a professional ophthalmologist after a thorough examination visual organ patient:

• redness of the sclera of the eyes;
• deterioration of visual acuity;
• a decrease in the transparency of the cornea (there is a film of varying degrees of turbidity, including the development of a porcelain film);
• the presence of a foreign body is felt under the eyelid;
• an involuntary process of closing the eyelids occurs;
• suppuration;
• lacrimation;
• photophobia;
• painful sensations in the eyes, pain after an ulcer or burn of the cornea is considered especially pronounced.

The disease begins acutely and may continue long time, as a result of which a cataract and blindness will form on the eye.

Symptoms in this case are almost always unilateral. Bilateral lesions in most cases are formed in the presence of autoimmune disorder in the visual organ.

Development of conjunctivitis

Acute conjunctivitis begins with severe pain and stinging in the eyes. The membranes of the eyes begin to become very red and small hemorrhages may begin in some places. Due to inflammation, pus, mucus, and tears begin to separate from the conjunctival sac. In addition, the patient’s condition begins to deteriorate significantly: general malaise occurs, headaches begin to rise significantly. temperature level bodies.

Herpetic diseases of the trigeminal nerve

With this disease there are:

• prodromal phenomena in the body: elevated temperature body, malaise, chills, headache;
• a feeling of discomfort begins to arise near the eye due to severe itching, boring, deep pain;
• after this, the skin in the affected area begins to redden, swell and hurt;
• then bubbles form on the surface of the skin, which are completely filled with transparent exudate;
• redness and watery eyes due to damage;
• upon completion of healing, which can be accelerated with the help of Acyclovir ointment, crusts begin to actively form at the site of the rash, which scar and then leave severe defects;
• Once healing is complete, the pain begins to disappear, but watery eyes may continue to persist for a long time.

ARVI and influenza

Such diseases are characterized not only by photophobia, but also by increased lacrimation of the eyes. There is also a significant increase in body temperature, cough and runny nose. Influenza is also characterized by the presence of headaches in the muscles and bones, and diseases in the eyeballs when changing the direction of gaze.

Allergic photophobia

Snow and electric ophthalmia

Such damage to the peripheral analyzer occurs after prolonged exposure ultraviolet radiation sun reflected by snow. As a result, characteristic redness of the sclera, photophobia and lacrimation are formed.

Diseases and drugs that cause complications

Swelling of the brain due to compression of the ventricles by numerous tumors can lead to dysfunction oculomotor nerve nuclei. Accumulation large quantity fluid in the cavity (ventricles) leads to disruption of the functioning of the human central nervous system, including damage to the third pair of cranial nerves.

1. An increased level of intracranial pressure occurs with hypertension, diseases of the kidneys, and heart due to the accumulation of fluid inside the body. Excess liquid begins to be released through the choroid plexuses at the bottom of the lateral ventricles. Meningitis, tick-borne encephalitis, influenza infection - all this can result in edema.
2. Eclampsia in a pregnant woman occurs as a result renal failure as a complication of gestosis. Such a defeat develops epileptic seizures, preceded by poor sensitivity to light.
3. When the body is intoxicated or when there is a feeling of fear, the sympathetic nervous system begins to work actively, which as a result leads to high level photosensitivity. Fear bright light occurs in people with mental illness, also called heliphobia.
4. Albinism is a genetic disease described by disturbances in the synthesis of melanin, which protects the retina from exposure to too much bright light and sunlight. With the development of such a pathology, the child develops a fear of sunlight.
5. The sensitivity of one eye can increase significantly when the apex of the lung of the same name is affected by tuberculosis. In this case, the patient experiences dilated pupils, which leads to photophobia.

The effect of medications can provoke the development of increased photosensitivity. These include medications such as:

• Doxycycline;
• Salicylates;
• Anticholinergics: Bellasthesin, Atropine, Metacin, Scopolamine, Platyphylline, Amitriptyline.

Atropine is used to prepare the eye for examination. This process leads to mydriasis - dilation of the pupil. As a result, a large number of sunlight passes through it and a persistent fear of the sun and sunlight is formed.

Diagnosis of the disease and its prevention

To exclude all organic brain injuries (intracranial hematomas, tumors and hydrocephalus), the patient uses MRI. If you suspect complications while bearing a child, it is important to donate blood for testing. biochemical analysis(urea and creatine) and urine, in which protein can often be found, which indicates disturbances in the normal functioning of the kidneys.

The electroencephalogram is very important for assessing the rate of excitation of the cerebral cortex, determining the location of the ectopic lesion that causes epileptic seizures and fear of light. If a doctor diagnoses heleophobia, the patient visits a psychiatrist.

When conducting diagnostics, it is very important to exclude alcohol intoxication and drugs, as well as conduct tests for the presence of such substances in the patient’s blood.

There is no need to suffer from bright daylight at all before going to the doctor. To alleviate your general condition, you need to purchase special polarized sunglasses that will help reduce the amount of ultraviolet radiation reaching the retina. You also need:

• reduce the number of hours per day working at the computer;
• stop rubbing your eyes too much;
• use Vidixic drops, which are considered a good means of artificial tears;
• if there is purulent discharge in the eyes, it is best to use special drops with antibiotics or antiseptics Tobradex, Okomistin, chloramphenicol drops. With all this, the attending physician must carefully examine the patient, since purulent processes may also affect the deeper layers of the eye, to which the topical agent simply cannot reach;
• If photophobia appears due to a burn, bruise or injury to the eye, then the patient should be immediately provided with ophthalmological care. First, you should drip the eyeball with drops containing an antiseptic effect, and apply sterile gauze to the eye.

There is no need to wait long before seeking help from a treating specialist, otherwise such a seemingly insignificant reason can provoke the development of a malignant tumor in the brain, which will begin to progress rapidly.

Attention, TODAY only!

Manifestation discomfort in the eyes when the light changes, indicates the presence of pathology in the organs of vision. It is impossible to independently determine the cause of eye sensitivity to light. The right decision, in this case, would be to immediately contact a specialized specialist to diagnose and treat photophobia.

According to medical terminology, photophobia refers to a pathological condition of the eyes that manifests itself in the presence hypersensitivity and intolerance to light of any type.

Photophobia does not apply to individual pathologies, but most often acts as a characteristic symptom of certain diseases. Also, this condition may be non-pathological in nature.

All causes of photophobia are classified into four main groups:

1. Factors not associated with pathologies: albinism, dilated pupils, too bright light, light eyes, eye injury. Increased sensitivity to light can be caused by prolonged gaze on a monitor or projector, or improper use of contact lenses.
2. Ophthalmological diseases: achromatopsia of congenital etiology, aphakia, aniridia, retinal detachment, endophthalmitis, glaucoma of congenital etiology, uveitis, neuritis optic nerve, rabies, Richner-Hanhart syndrome.
3. Neurological pathologies: Chiari malformation, autism and other types of developmental disorders, dyslexia, encephalitis, meningitis, syndrome chronic fatigue, malignant and benign brain tumors.
4. Other reasons: diseases of viral and infectious etiology, intoxication of the body, thermal or sunburn eyes, headaches and migraines, lack of magnesium or riboflavin in the body, accumulation of cystine. Eye sensitivity to light may be a consequence of long-term use of certain medications or manifest itself through alcohol abuse.

The causes of eye sensitivity to light are varied. Some of them pose a serious threat to visual health and require immediate appeal see an ophthalmologist. Other provoking factors may indicate the development of other serious pathological conditions in the body.

If the slightest discomfort appears in the eyes, it is recommended to pay attention to the accompanying signs and not delay visiting a doctor.

Paying close attention to your health will allow you to quickly and correctly determine the cause of eye photosensitivity and begin its treatment.

Symptoms of the problem and what they indicate

Increased eye sensitivity to light is almost always accompanied by additional symptoms. Its nature and intensity of manifestation depends on the root cause of photophobia and the degree of its development.

Experts identify the following symptoms of this pathological condition:

• Excessive tearing of the eyes. Appears when mechanical damage eye and is accompanied by pain, blurred vision and constriction of the pupil. Damage to the cornea is also characterized by lacrimation. Additional signs include purulent exudate, hyperemia, sensation foreign object in the eye, redness and deterioration in the quality of vision. The unexpected appearance of tears occurs with migraines, conjunctivitis, damage to the trigeminal nerve by the herpes virus, pathologies of viral etiology, influenza condition, abnormal development of the eyes, chronic form retinitis, malignant pathology retina, changing norms metabolic processes and movement of fluid in the eyeballs.
• Tearing may indicate the presence of blood inside the organs of vision, paralysis of the optic nerves, deficiency of natural dark pigment in the eyes, increased activity of the thyroid gland, hemorrhagic stroke, meningitis, encephalitis, burning and pain in the eyes.
• Soreness. The manifestation of acute stabbing pain in the eye area is observed in the formation of ophthalmological diseases such as uveitis, keratitis, thermal and corneal lesions with the formation of ulcers, conjunctivitis, astigmatism, trigeminal neuralgia, blepharitis.
• Attacks of severe headache. Indicates the development of pathological conditions such as migraine, abscess, acromegaly, meningitis, encephalitis, acute glaucoma, stroke. A characteristic additional symptom is compartment syndrome and a feeling of “head in a hoop.”
• Hyperthermia. The parallel manifestation of elevated body temperature and photophobia indicates meningitis, encephalitis, endophthalmitis, purulent uveitis, hemorrhagic stroke, trigeminal neuralgia. Also, such symptoms are characteristic of a brain abscess, which is manifested by paralysis of the facial nerves and muscular asymmetry of the face.

The main symptoms of increased sensitivity of the eyes to light may also be accompanied by such signs as dilated pupils, spasms that provoke convulsive closure of the eyelids, loss of clear boundaries visible objects, feeling of “sand” in the eyeballs. Each characteristic sign in the general clinical picture allows us to preliminarily establish the root cause of the development of photophobia of the eyes.

In what cases is medical assistance necessary: ​​diagnosing pathology

Eye sensitivity to light does not always indicate the development of pathological processes in the body. IN medical practice, determine the type of natural photophobia that occurs when there is a sudden change in the light environment.

This condition is caused by the brain's reaction to processing two radically different visual perceptions.

But, there are a number of pathological conditions in which the manifestation of increased sensitivity of the eyes to light requires immediate qualified medical care:

1. Intense and sharp painful sensations, dislike of minimal lighting levels.
2. In parallel with the signs of photophobia, pressure appears on the eyes, and a halo appears around the light source.
3. Severe redness of the eyes and profuse lacrimation.
4. If light enters the eyes, vision deteriorates, a veil appears, and this condition does not go away for several days.
5. Symptoms of increased eye sensitivity to light are increasing every day.

Diagnosis of increased sensitivity of the eyes to light comes down to determining the underlying pathology, characteristic feature which is a manifestation of photophobia. If primary symptoms occur, you should contact an ophthalmologist. Depending on the patient’s health status and complaints, diagnostic examination may include:

• Ophthalmoscopy
• Biomicroscopy
• Perimetry
• Tonometry
• Gonioscopy
• Pachymetry
• Ultrasound of the eyes
• Angiography
• Optical tomography
• Electroretinography

An examination by an ophthalmologist allows you to thoroughly examine the condition of your eyes and identify associated symptoms and correctly determine the cause of photophobia.

If an examination by an ophthalmologist does not reveal an eye disease, but clinical picture supplemented by accompanying symptoms, a consultative examination by a neurologist and endocrinologist is prescribed. To identify the cause of the development of photophobia, a set of diagnostic measures is prescribed, consisting of:

• MRG of the brain
• EEG - research method functional state medulla
• Dopplerography of cervical vessels
• Ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland
• Complex hormonal blood tests
• X-rays of light

Based on the results of laboratory and hardware tests, consultation with such specialized specialists as an infectious disease specialist, toxicologist, oncologist, psychotherapist, allergist, and traumatologist may be required.

Diagnosis of photophobia is carried out comprehensively. Besides common methods clinical research of biological media of the body are used different kinds hardware examination. Timely diagnosis and determination of the cause of increased sensitivity of the eyes to light makes it possible to prescribe appropriate treatment for the root cause of the development of the pathology.

Treatment

The main goal in the treatment of photophobia of the eyes is to relieve pain and eliminate the primary etiology of the appearance of increased sensitivity of the eyes to light. It is worth noting that it is not always possible to determine the cause of the pathology. Photophobia can be a temporary or one-time pathological condition.

Treatment of this disease is carried out taking into account the primary source of the pathology and the patient’s age and includes a complex therapeutic procedures. Depending on the etiology of the disease, therapy can be conservative or alternative.

Conservative treatment

The selection of pharmaceuticals is carried out taking into account the cause that provoked the development of photophobia. Most often in medical practice, when treating hypersensitivity of the eyes to light, the following are prescribed:

• Anti-inflammatory, moisturizing drops, as well as similar drugs containing vitamin and mineral components in their composition. They are used to eliminate the source of inflammation if this disease has developed against the background of inflammatory eye pathology.
• Antiseptic drops or antibacterial drugs. Prescribed in the presence of infection and purulent exudate in the eyes.
• In case of eye injury or thermal damage, treatment is carried out strictly in a hospital setting. For first aid purposes, the use of antiseptic drops is allowed. A sterile bandage is applied over the eyes.
• Moisturizing antiseptic ophthalmic solutions are used when a foreign body enters or the eye is contaminated. After eliminating the negative factor, the eyes are washed with pharmaceuticals for several days.

Correction of drug treatment that provoked the development of eye sensitivity to light immediately eliminates this pathological process.

Congenital photophobia cannot be treated. To alleviate the condition, it is recommended to use special contact lenses that minimize the reaction to light.

There are a number of non-ophthalmological pathologies that provoke the development of photophobia. Treatment in this case is prescribed strictly by a specialized doctor. It may consist of taking systemic medications and performing special physiotherapeutic procedures.

Severe forms of provoking pathologies or advanced stages of neurological and ophthalmological diseases amenable to surgical treatment only.

Alternative medicine methods

Often as adjuvant therapy or to relieve symptoms of increased eye sensitivity, traditional medicine is used. On their basis, medicines are made for both external and internal use.

Among the most effective alternative medicines, experts identify the following recipes:

1. Sea buckthorn oil. In its pure form, drop 1 drop into each eye every 2 hours.
2. Infusion of flax seeds. Every morning, wash your eyes with the prepared medicine. To do this, pour 250 ml of boiling water into 100 g of the main ingredient, cover with a lid and leave for half an hour.
3. Cinquefoil erect. A decoction is made from it, which is used to wash the eyes or as a lotion. Recipe for preparing the medicine: pour 10 g of dry herb with a glass of boiling water. Bring the product to a boil in a water bath. Leave for 3 hours. To wash the eyes, the decoction is used daily before bed. Compresses are made twice a day. Sterile gauze wipes are soaked in the product, applied to the eyes and left for 30 minutes.
4. Lotions from sweet clover decoction. Pour 50 g of plant inflorescences into 0.25 liters of boiling water and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Cool, filter and apply compresses to the eyes with the prepared medicine twice a day.
5. Infusion of calendula and pharmaceutical chamomile. Mix equal amounts of calendula and chamomile inflorescences. Take 1 tbsp. l of the prepared mixture and pour 0.25 l of boiling water. Leave for an hour after filtering the product. The eyes are washed with the prepared infusion 4 times a day or 2 drops are instilled into the eyes three times a day.
6. Plantain. Pour 25 g of fresh leaves of the plant into 350 ml of boiling water and leave in a thermos for 5 hours. Strain the infusion and wash your eyes with the prepared product in the morning and evening.

Treatment of increased eye sensitivity to light using traditional medicine can only be carried out in consultation with a doctor. Self-medication can lead to the progression of photophobia and a deterioration in overall health.

Timely implementation of the therapeutic complex allows you to quickly eliminate the signs of photophobia. Treatment of eye sensitivity to light should be carried out by qualified professionals. They select medications, establish a regimen for taking them and the duration of the therapeutic course. It is carried out individually in each case and depends on the physiological parameters of the patient.

Preventive measures

In order to prevent re-development For increased eye sensitivity to the sun, experts recommend systematically adhering to basic preventive measures.

• Maintain personal hygiene and avoid rubbing your eyes with dirty hands.
• If there are hazardous conditions during work, use safety glasses.
• If you have constant dry eye syndrome and long-term work at the computer, instill Artificial Tears into your eyes.
• Carry out therapeutic exercises for the eyes every day, previously agreed upon with an ophthalmologist.
• Wear Sunglasses with a protective coating against ultraviolet radiation on sunny days.
• Purchase optics and contact lenses in specialized stores of famous brands.
• Systematically undergo preventive examinations with ophthalmologists and other specialized specialists.
• Strictly comply with the conditions for use and care of optical products.
• Avoid swimming in polluted waters.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle and adhere to a properly balanced diet.
• In the presence of chronic pathologies carry out maintenance treatment regularly.

Systematic implementation of all preventive measures will prevent the development of photophobia. Prevention methods for increased eye sensitivity to light that are performed briefly and not fully are ineffective.

Ignoring photophobia at any stage of development poses a great threat to health. This pathological process indicates the presence of serious diseases in the body that require immediate treatment.

Increased light sensitivity of the eyes - when, after a transition from darkness to light for more than an hour, the retina cannot adapt to new conditions. At this time, the eyes hurt, increased lacrimation begins, a feeling of pressure appears in the organ of vision, and a corolla-areola is seen around the light source.

Prolonged discomfort is a sign of a disease of the organ of vision. It is impossible to maintain a clear gaze when tears begin to flow when the light changes. To find out what is causing the disturbance in light perception, you need to consult a doctor.

Short-term discomfort due to changes in illumination is considered normal occurrence. It goes away within a few seconds - but can last up to 1.5-2 minutes.

For colds and infectious diseases– especially those accompanied by an increase in temperature – the adaptation time increases. In addition, bright light begins to irritate, you have to squint your eyes even on a normal sunny day.

You can increase the sensitivity of your eyes yourself if you constantly use sunglasses in the summer. Then the bright light in the room will also begin to irritate.

The following factors affect light sensitivity:

• some medical supplies– as soon as their effect ends, the perception of light is normalized;
• age-related changes;
• visual impairment due to eye diseases - degeneration macular spot and glaucoma.

Any deterioration in vision is a reason to consult a doctor. Stopping the development of glaucoma is possible only by initial stage diseases.

However, it is considered normal if lacrimation increases on a clear winter day. After a short attack of snow ophthalmia, vision is restored quickly. If snowy expanses have to be observed with unprotected eyes for a long time, restoration of vision may take several days.

But again, the body is able to cope with this condition on its own, just take care of the eyes and avoid bright light.

What is light and color sensitivity?

The human eye is not an optimal analyzer. To evoke the sensation of light, 2 colors are perceived at once - if the perception is disrupted, then discomfort occurs.

Solar radiation is the maximum of the visibility curve; it is to this that the human eye is tuned.

In the organ of vision - in its retina - there are sensitive elements: optic nerve fibers and photoreceptors. When exposed to electromagnetic radiation in the range from 760 to 380 nm, a sensation of light arises. Light-sensitive receptors are directed deep into the retina, outer shell which consists of epithelial cells with black pigment.

An excitation impulse appears in the cells under the influence of light, causing photochemical reactions in them. The impulses provoked by this process are transmitted to the brain, as a result of which visual sensations are formed.

Under the influence of light, the retina evaluates the surroundings according to two characteristics - qualitative and quantitative. Quantitative characteristics is a feeling of brightness, quality is a feeling of color. Perception is determined by the wavelength of light and spectral composition.

Photoreceptors are divided into rods and cones. Rods are more photosensitive; they are responsible for brightness, while cones distinguish colors and shades.

The graph, relative to which you can approximately understand how the color and light sensitivity of the eyes is distributed, looks like this.

This picture shows that the perception of bright light and contrast for a person is a mixture of red, green and blue. Increasing the photosensitivity of the eyes is a change in the proportions between the analyzers located in the organ of vision - with artificial enhancement of one of the spectra, painful sensations appear.

It is impossible to depict the photosensitivity of the eyes with a picture; there are very complex formulas; the radiation spectrum is estimated using optical formulas.

The reciprocal of the minimum threshold brightness that causes visual sensations is called the photosensitivity of the eye.

The limits of its change are quite wide, which is why human eye has enormous visual adaptation capabilities - the ability to adapt to light of varying brightness.

During adaptation the following happens:

• the diameter of the pupil varies, which allows you to change the perception of light flux;
• inside the organ of vision, the concentration of photosensitivity of undecomposed pigment decreases;
• cones and rods with dark pigment, which are located in choroid, move in the direction of the vitreous body and screen the image;
• Depending on the brightness of the object, the degree of participation of rods and cones in exciting the sensation of light changes.

When performing an eye photosensitivity test, the test subject is placed in a dark room. Under these conditions, photosensitivity is determined - how transitions from the lower limit to the upper limit and vice versa affect the organ of vision.

The absolute threshold of susceptibility or the lower limit is only a few tens of photons per second - such a flow of energy is directed at the organ of vision in almost complete darkness. The upper limit is 1012 times higher. Adaptation should take less than a minute for young people; in old age, its time may increase.

Increased photosensitivity

The following reasons cause increased photosensitivity:

• congenital absence of pigment;
• staying at the computer for a long time – eye fatigue;
• retinal disinsertion;
• eye diseases - iritis, keratitis, ulcers and damage to the cornea, tumors.

Photophobia occurs after the eyes are damaged by bright light - for example, during welding work or with snow ophthalmia.

Also, discomfort from intense light appears during many diseases that occur with high temperature. One of the symptoms of childhood diseases - measles and scarlet fever - is an increased reaction to light.

Symptoms of increased photosensitivity may include:

• increased lacrimation;
• pain and pain in the organ of vision;
• spasms causing convulsive closure of the eyelids.

A sudden change in illumination provokes an attack of acute headache.

Treatment of photosensitivity

The ophthalmologist conducts a test to determine photosensitivity, setting the limit that the eye can tolerate without problems and developing measures to help adapt to bright light.

The underlying disease or causes causing photosensitivity often require serious treatment, and sometimes elimination - for example, if the underdevelopment of the visual apparatus is hereditary - is impossible. In this case, it is necessary to adjust your existence in the sunny season.

It is imperative to wear sunglasses - in a brightly lit room you also need to use a protective device, only with less intensely tinted glasses.

Temporary phenomena of increased light perception are treated - for this purpose they use eye drops containing anti-inflammatory and antiseptic components. Drops with moisturizing properties are also used, and a complex of vitamins is prescribed.

Rational nutrition is of great importance in the condition of the organ of vision. A lack of vitamins A and C immediately affects the functions of the visual apparatus.

To preserve your vision, you need to consult an ophthalmologist in a timely manner. Long-term adaptation to changes in illumination and discomfort in intense sunlight, which appeared suddenly, are sufficient reasons for a visit to the ophthalmologist.

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