What causes PHOTOPHOBIA (light sensitivity) and how to fix it

Do you suffer from photophobia or light sensitivity? Today we review what causes light sensitivity and options for photophobia treatment. ➡️ Tips for Driving at Night : • Blinded by Headlights?...
Photophobia is a medical symptom of extreme sensitivity or intolerance to light. This level of light sensitivity can be so strong that it can induce more than just discomfort but also physical pain. Photophobia can be caused by a variety of factors, including migraine headaches, dry eyes, and certain eye diseases.
The treatment for photophobia depends on the underlying cause. In some cases, if the photophobia is related to an eye disease, treatment of the underlying condition often resolves the light sensitivity. In many cases, photophobia can be managed with lifestyle changes, such as wearing sunglasses, avoiding bright lights, and using dimmer switches in the home or office. If you are experiencing photophobia, it is important to see a doctor to determine the cause and get appropriate treatment.
Medications known to cause light sensitivity
Methylphenidate
Benzodiazepine
Barbiturates
Chloroquine
Haldol
Zoledronate
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DISCLAIMER: All content in this video and description including infor­ma­tion, opinions, con­tent, ref­er­ences and links is for infor­ma­tional pur­poses only. The Author does not pro­vide any med­ical advice on the site. Noth­ing con­tained in this video or it’s description is intended to estab­lish a physician-patient rela­tion­ship, to replace the ser­vices of a trained physi­cian or health care pro­fes­sional, or oth­er­wise to be a sub­sti­tute for pro­fes­sional med­ical advice, diag­no­sis, or treatment. You should con­sult a licensed physi­cian or appropriately-credentialed health care worker in your com­mu­nity in all mat­ters relat­ing to your health. Also, some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning, at no cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. All non-licensed clips used for fair use commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.
#photophobia #lightsensitvity #doctoreyehealth
Sources: (Search these numbers) in PubMed www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
PMID: 28932391
PMID: 22019306
PMID: 22330853
PMID: 1779251
PMID: 21622479
PMID: 17121141
PMID: 17087988
PMID: 27420092
Timestamps:
0:00 What is Photophobia
0:32 Photophobia Symptoms
1:41 Bells Phenomenon
2:37 What Causes Sensitivity to Light
3:54 Are Blue Eyes MORE Light Sensitive?
4:45 Concussion and Migraine
5:30 Photophobia Treatment
7:00 Tips on Sunglasses
7:58 Light Sensitivity Glasses
9:45 Supplements for photophobia?

[@gwin8463]

I'm African with brown eyes but have always struggled with photophobia, I can't even bear to snap pictures in public without squinting

[@jim3336]

I'm surprised that you didn't touch on the subject of LED lights. I've been very light-sensitive as long as I can remember, but with the advent of LED headlights, street lights etc, I find myself more and more often quite crippled by them. Eg: I can no longer drive at night.

[@GavinEarnshaw]

I have found with contacts and those yellow and polarised night glasses a major improvement. Got them off Amazon -crap frames, hard plastics but showed they work. Anti glare coating as well. If the cheap ones make a difference then you could get some decent ones made up. Edited to add, found the brand: Duco

[@jaskaransingh8940]

Try to get a prescription for window tint it helps against light Ngl

[@user-wr8yb1xf1o]

Does this also happen with your phone..? The text and icons on phone appear more brighter than before..

[@ohjoannabanana]

Same here. Even brake lights in front of me are blinding.

[@shubhamv76]

LED ? bro my eyes are even light-sensitive to my TV or any screen except smartphone, idk how the hell I am going to earn and survive

[@glengeen75048]

Blue eyes here and always been light sensitive. I did not realize it was a lifelong disorder until I was scanning old photos for mom and dad. One thing that I always noticed was I was always shielding my eyes. I like a dark house but my wife likes a bright house. I just deal. I wear sunglasses when I can and almost always wear a hat. Yes, fluorescent lights do cause me headaches. I was able to counter that effect at work by either putting an incandescent light on my desk or sitting next to a window.

[@marianmoore4382]

That’s me.

[@DanG85]

And blue eyes! Yes.

[@PluckMe]

My husband likes it bright and it really triggers me. Over the years I won the lighting battle as he prefers his peace more than brightness. I am not pleasant to be around when I have a migraine from lighting. Sitting in a car with a towel over my head is really helpful. It's the sound proofing. Sitting in a closet helps too, which I recall doing a lot as a child but I don't remember why.

[@shubhamv76]

Sir, which type of work you do? I'm curious to know, because I can't think of any for myself. I hate going outside

[@72marshflower15]

It’s not a disorder.. It’s a response mechanism to humans living at northern hemispheres..

[@reapergrimlok1256]

This channel has been amazing anxiety relief for a few issues ive been having, thank you

[@ikarugaxx3749]

One thing I realized watching this video: it takes a photophobic to understand a photophobic's struggles with sunlight. This is the first time I feel someone knows how it feels in bright sunlight. And yes, during eye exams my eyes often start shedding tears, I didn't know that was due to the intense light. I suffer from none of the specific conditions the video mentions... maybe it's just the high excitability of the relevant part of the nervous system that does it to me. **** Certainly, I need to use displays on my devices with very low contrast and luminosity settings (on the other hand, no need to do that on your TV if you use it to enjoy a motion picture or want to watch nice photographs, it's instead something you ought to do when staring at a screen over long stretches of time). But what changed my life in front of screens was the finding that there are flicker-free screens. I think it's only LCDs and LED screens can't be flicker free so far. The HP Z display series changed my computer life. To use that display many hours a day wears my eyes less than to use an iMac (and by that I mean: every and any non-flicker-free display there is) for half a hour. Also, displays come in different kinds: there's the kind for graphics (photo editing, movie editing, ...), for gaming or movie watching: these will be bright and harsh on your vision if you use them for many-hour office work or to study on eBooks and the likes. You need a display designed for office work for your eye health if you are going to stare at it several hours a day. Lastly, I don't know if there is a relationship between suffering flickering lights, and intense light. In my case, there 100% is one. LED lights (on screens as well as domestic lighting) are the number one threat so long as flickering is concerned.

[@r0mankon]

Very informative, thanks

[@foolproofmethods]

Do you sneeze to sunlight?

[@-1-2-1-]

I have severe photophobia and it’s definitely painful. I avoid being in daylight and generally keep my eyes semi closed unless I’m in near dark. This problem was caused by laser eye surgery I had a few years ago that has wrecked both my eyes. DO NOT have laser eye surgery.

[@Msangel06]

I had cataract surgery now I have sensitivity to light. They offered laser surgery. I declined.

[@kathysmith9983]

Wow, am I ever glad I watched this video and your comment from the person that had lazer and this happened I will be sure to tell my son not to have lazer surgery. One just never knows what can happen with eye surgery.

[@kathysmith9983]

My son and I have blue eyes and we are very sensitive to light. Thank u so much for all your videos. Smart informative man you are. I have never seen so much knowledge come from someone. You sir are a blessing to us all.

[@jennieloh6312]

I had eyebag removal 2 years ago. This had caused double vision and photophobia since til date. Regretted tremendously. Now, having very dry and tired eyes too.

[@user-kp6pg6oo2z]

I have worn sunglasses year round for about 20 years since living in New Zealand where the sun was super powerful. I got into the habit of wearing them and kept doing it even though I now live in Shetland! I love the fact that you mentioned the connection between vision and the brain/CNS. This is affirming for me as you said what I believe to be true and yet my optometrist told me I was wrong and there is no link. A great video. Thank you 🙏

[@ohjoannabanana]

I have blue eyes and I am very light sensitive. I do not leave the house without sunglasses and a hat. I often say I hate the sun, because bright light feels like such an assault. I love overcast and rainy days.

[@Gwen916]

Thank you for doing this video, i have blue eyes and i have migraines and fibromyalgia, this has been very helpful as i have tryed alot of things over the last 30 years. I real injoy your videos. Thanks.

[@davef2975]

I am Autistic with a comorbid diagnosis of Sensory Processing Disorder. I am EXTREMELY sensitive to sound, so I wear maximum sound protection as soon as I leave my house. I am light sensitive but the consequence is not pain as much as "sensory overload." I wear level 4 sunglasses constatnly outside unless the lighting is very low (heavy overcast or dusk/dawn). To deal with my SPD, I keep my house very low lit. If I need additional light I use low lit "task lighting." All sound is kept to a minimum. With Autism/SPD, my brain processes (some of) my sesnses differently than the average person. "Sensory Overload" is a common cause of Autistic meltdowns.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Thank you for sharing this! I know doctors who are not super familiar with SPD.

[@thekidsergio2274]

Hi i messaged you a few months back asking you to do a video on this topic so thank you I've also just recently been diagnosed with vestibular migraines so i finally found out what was causing my photophobia anyway i always enjoy your videos they are extremly helpful so thank God bless

[@Ponk_80]

I have brown eyes, and have always been sensitive to light, especially modern lights on cars and bicycles because they now all are LED and therefore turned up much brighter because they don’t light up the surrounding areas as much as old lightbulbs.

[@cjdflkj]

My family always told me it was all in my head that I couldn’t open my eyes in the light. I’m near 40 and just found out it wasn’t me, and my migraines are in part from this.

[@cjdflkj]

Yes blue eyes. My relatives with blue eyes that don’t get migraines can be outside all day with no sunglasses. My light sensitivity is all the time.

[@cjdflkj]

And yep, store = migraine. Ive been using Theraspecs for over a month, first time in my life I can go outside without sunglasses. They’ve reduced my red eye when looking at screens.

[@theophila214]

Lol, like it *is* "all in the head," but *not* in the way *they* meant. Our eyes are really an extension of our brain. So, yeah it's "in the head." And yeah, it's real and hurts!

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

What helps you the most with light sensitivity? Tips on Headlights and Driving at night : kzbin.info/www/bejne/enO6mmOhlJdqZ6s

[@BestOfAnimalss]

Sun glasses 👓 definitely help

[@caseymarion2494]

Wraparound sunglasses & wide brimmed hat or ball cap. ( Brown-eyed, High myopia, Glaucoma patient )

[@steelcutoaths3033]

Sunglasses when I’m outside. Normally I put all screens away when I’m having a migraine with photophobia.

[@allisondaugherty5963]

Sunglasses for sure

[@bleuvlad]

😎

[@lesliebrown9680]

what part was my favorite of this video? everything!! ty for sharing! heading to do research on this. ty ty ty!! 👏👏☺️

[@RobertHastings12]

Watching this video in the bedroom with blackout curtains on a beautiful spring day because I can't handle the sunlight, even though I'd love to be outside right now. My entire life, I've always been in a much better mood on dreary overcast days that usually bum everyone else out.

[@richardmathis837]

This video is a game changer, I have been looking for the best way to increase my income and start up my retirement, but I really do not know much about investments and trading stocks. I keep postponing every single day that passes, but I want to begin now. How should I start? What do I need to know?

[@richardmathis837]

I know I can't do any investment by myself, because last time I tried, I lost all my money. I am serious and interested but also scared of losing money now. What can I do not to end up with same result as last time.

[@richardmathis837]

I have done some research, and what I need is an excellent financial advisor to assist me with what I want to do. A good recommendation will do. Thanks.

[@richardmathis837]

Looked up her name *Robin Brezik* and found her website, interesting stuff so far, about to schedule a session with her. Thanks.

[@ChelseaStonerrTV]

What does this have to do with light sensitivity or anything with this video? Stop scamming

[@priyanshuvettori5179]

Scammers be like: Let's chat with each other on a random video.

[@shawnmcpherson4986]

Thank you for this video. It was very helpful to better understand what I have been struggling with. I struggle with high levels of chronic stress. I also hyper focus and worry about my eyes..... A LOT. I have a constant fear that something is going to happen to my eyes. I have had dozens of eye exams and every one of them says that my eyes are healthy. I do have eye floaters and wear corrective lenses. I remember a video where you talked about the affects of stress on our eyes, also a very helpful video. I just wish I could, once and for all, determine if something really is wrong with my eyes or if I am just too focused on every little thing

[@lizvix3njames945]

Fantastic thank you for this ! Started to really struggle in natural light and work lighting /home lighting recently. I get migraines but also have photosensitive epilepsy and now in my 40's im struggling with lights and my glasses ,with your help on this i think im definitely investing in some tinted lenses .

[@AhamBramhasmi01]

Please keep doing videos regularly. Thank you so much for the valuable information

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Thank yoU! 🙏🙏

[@texasceechelle]

I have Extreme photophobia. I will try the lutein. I’m a migraine suffer for 45 years and I had shingles in my eye 12 years ago, nearly lost my vision. I just got over a 1 1/2 year flareup of mild shingles again after all this time. It has caused cataract surgery and steroids most of the 12 years. I just keep watching myself go blind. I lived in Dallas area where I got excellent care now I’m in northern Ohio and got an older mediocre doctor. I will have to search for a new one. I wear all the floppy hats, sunglasses and everything else you suggest. I just resigned myself to watching black-and-white shows or something on TV that I know won’t cause flashes. The new shows are horrible. I get searing pain in my eye when any of those things happen. I can’t go out in the sun much. I can’t even sit by a fan. I also have a Sjogren’s and fibromyalgia. 6 months ago, I even saw neon blue streaks in the bottom outside corner of my eye that lasted a couple months. They’re gone now, but that was another weird thing that has happened to me. Thanks for all your information and videos. Blue eyed.

[@Christinesobsevations]

I get the blue streak as well In Certain types of light . Out for walks on bright sunny days causes it . Comes out the side of my right eye .

[@theophila214]

Not sure if it would help for screens, or other harsh flourescent lights, but blue-light glasses can help filter the harsh light. I have gotten this brand a couple times, and I like them because they are "over the glasses" glasses, *and* because they shield from the top and side too: "NoCry Blue Light Blocking Over Glasses Safety Glasses with 100% UV Protection" I got the orange ones (which are the blue-light filter ones). They're about $17 on Amazon now. (And no, I dont work for them or any of that weird stuff, lol).

[@partialartsblackbelt8384]

Thank you so much for your videos!

[@bels4116]

I have had light sensitivity all my life. 10 years ago I went to England during their winter and enjoyed not been so sensitive during the day, probably because it was winter. However when I came home to Australia, as always, I felt pain even with sunglasses on. ( I have blue, green eyes) I struggle in artificial light just as much. interesting about these supplements you mentioned, i would like to chat to my optometrist about that.

[@Alma-Bibliophile]

Light blue eyes and I wear sunglasses even on overcast days. I highly recommend that people use the blue light filter that most screened electronic devices have pre-installed. That has helped imensly with the discomfort of looking at a computer, tv, or smart phone screen in addition to what you said about turning down the brihhtness level.

[@joeyk5]

Oh this is me. Thank you for bringing this to the “light” I have light blue/grey eyes

[@dardarlizard]

I've been dealing with extreme and increasing light sensitivity that would cripple me for days at a time. Incredibly painful. I've had a few concussions and other health issues. I rarely drink anymore because it made it worse. The VA says the structure looks fine and a neurologist gave me B2, did nothing. I finally started getting some relief after I started taking high doses of B12 and I am going to take that to my neurologist and see if I can get B12 shots since oral absorption is such garbage but is still helping immensely.

[@amherst88]

Great content as always -- brown eyes here & light sensitive (especially in one eye) since birth (literally -- there is a photo taken of my wrinkled face immediately after birth where I'm squinting in the exact way I still do). Very dark sunglasses for me are a godsend, otherwise I have to close my eyes about 90% to navigate being in sunlight -- I often wear them on cloudy days as well as I'm otherwise squinting. Appreciate your posts very much ❤

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Thanks for sharing! Did you ever close 1 eye as a kid or do you still do that?

[@amherst88]

@@DoctorEyeHealth Yes & still do -- apparently one of my eyes (the left) is 'stronger' so I generally end up closing the right one if there's anything other than optimal conditions :)

[@daniellescure9916]

@@amherst88 thats crazyyy, my strong eye is the right one, thought it was something i made up in my mind, glad to hear someone else have the same "trouble".

[@nm_1008]

yes cloudy days makes my eyes more light sensitive .

[@aramkhoshnaw2291]

I have brown and exactly same problem with my both eye , having old picturez as i was 10 , always avoided light and closed my eyes .

[@jessicamerced9116]

I have brown eyes and have extremely sensitive eyes..you’ll always catch me with sunglasses even on a cloudy day 😎 I also hate florescent lights, why do they even exist? I have had a concussion when I was younger. I passed out after hitting my head and woke up a couple hours later. I’m also neurodivergent so all of these reasons seem likely!

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

The nuerodivergent term is a new to me. Can you explain that more from your perspective? (I looked it up) but I'm curious if that was a diagnosis given to you or how life is different for you. thanks.

[@jessicamerced9116]

@@DoctorEyeHealth I did not realize that term could be new to some people, I guess I am used to hearing about it. I am diagnosed ADHD as a child and still have some symptoms as an adult. I would describe myself as emotional, creative and a little strange. Social situations have always been challenging but I recently turned 30 and I’ve accepted the way I interact with others. Life has only gotten better, when I was younger it was a difficult struggle to progress from childhood to adulthood. I hope this comment helped! 😊

[@v1nnyc]

Brilliant content, I never really thought that I could have this but yeah its more apparent to me now. Whenever I am in bright conditions and I try and concentrate on something I am doing at arms length I get a vignette effect in my eyes, could this be due to this as well? goes away when I go back to looking at things a bit further or if I stop what I am doing

[@esthereley6808]

I’m blue eyed and have always been light-sensitive - particularly coming out of buildings into the light, I can see blotches. I also now have autoimmune problems and dry eyes. I find using Hycosan Preservative-Free drops helps, as do my transition lenses as I always have them with me.

[@marcioamaral7511]

Thank you! Very informative! I've got myopia and astigmatism, but I'm not light sensitive, apparently many people are.

[@senbonzakura6934]

OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO , I recently got some light sensitivity after wearing glasses for the first time ( 2 weeks ago ) I have dark orange / dark brown eyes

[@JMendez1973]

I’ve been sensitive to light for as long as I can remember. My eyes change color (blue, green, hazel, grey) without colored contacts. I also have migraines. The transitions contact lenses are game changers for me (thanks for your video letting me know they’re a thing).

[@tammyszu3570]

Do they turn dark indoors if the lights are super bright? Or do they only turn dark under UV light?

[@marlainehysell5989]

Eye pain - a little off topic. have you done a video about eye pain? My eye pain is too bad to search through your videos. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@fishnsyd]

Blue eyes here. You won’t catch me outside without sunglasses, even on overcast days! I also occasionally have migraines and often experience light sensitivity associated with them, but sound sensitivity is a much bigger trigger for me.

[@thewebupdater]

Thank you again for discussing the subject of photophobia and migraines. I've had it since my 20s' but been treated as if it's all in my head (so to speak) and been told to get psychiatric treatment. I have light brown eyes, but most of my family has dark brown. Avoiding sunlight, wearing dark glasses, using wide-brimmed hats (or using an umbrella) works, but the supplements sound like a good idea, too. Thank you again for your help!

[@shubhamv76]

What helped you? Any specific medicine or precautions

[@thewebupdater]

@@shubhamv76 It took a bit, but what helped eventually was prescription medication (Divalproex, which is generic Depakote) to help with the pain as well as avoiding triggers, as mentioned earlier. It's not a great answer, as the medication can cause tiredness, but it helps a little. I'm still looking for something better.

[@timbacchus]

I am 74 now but in high school driver's ed. We found out that I took four times as long to recover from car head lights at night and learned to look to the right when a car went by the other way.

[@carolineASMR]

What do you think about neurolenses? My doctor prescribed me these and I can’t wait to try them out because I have been light sensitive for about 10 years.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

I have been testing out Neurolens for about 3 months (review video coming soon). While I can’t say my light sensitivity has decreased, I can say I have never found a pair of glasses that helps with my eyestrain or eye fatigue as much as these. Hope they work wonders for you. Please let me know of your experience!

[@BlaydeZ28]

The last time I went to the eye doctors, I was told I had a light pigmented retina which apparently causes a higher sensitivity to light.

[@ismailben3394]

Could you make a video about "fungal blepharitis". I'm suffering of a real difficult case of blepharitis. I've been going to an eye doctor for the past 2 years and my dry eye symptoms haven't improved much. Besides my eyes, I also suffer from severe dandruff and greasy skin (mainly on the forehead and nose). I've been told that dandruff is caused by a yeasts, and because of that i think there is a correlation between my blepharitis, greasy skin and dandruff. I would really appreciate it if you would make a video regarding fungal blepharitis.

[@chataigneduciel]

i'm suffering from photophobia due to dry eyes for months now, thank you for this video

[@Navi-kn6is]

I have too how to overcome this .

[@kristinavenning4853]

I have albinism and it’s always been my biggest struggle. I have very poor vision but that does not bother me as much as my photophobia. I can’t open my eyes outside unless it’s dusk. I wear contact lenses with opaque irises and tinted pupil and the high category sunglasses you can’t drive in and I still struggle! Photophobia sucks! I wear my sunglasses inside because I struggle so much!

[@MadMadMandy]

I have crystal blue-white eyes (people ask if I am blind because of the colour) and I am extremely nearsighted+get migraines that will put me in the hospital, and I was at an optician today. Her office was white walls and big glass facade. I walked into a couchcorner and fell because everything was so darn bright 🙃. Normally I would be terribly embarrassed and unable to return to the same place again, but as she said "Oh dear, I am so sorry and also really glad you're here!" and I look forward to getting the glasses that will help my photophobia.

[@shiftybat7318]

Yup. I wear pale rose-gradient aviators whenever I go out because it transitions harsh white light from the sun or sterile office fluorescents to something more tolerable without significantly darkening my field of vision. I literally never leave home without.

[@lfc4life73]

Please do a video on fuchs endothelial dystrophy. I haven't seen you cover this topic yet. Thank you

[@mariarooney388]

I, like you, have very blue eyes and I really struggle in sunlight or even with a cloudy sky. My eyes water and I get intense pain in them. I have been told by an ophthalmologist here in UK that it will be due to the colour. I think that there is something in that thought as my darker eyed friends don’t seem to struggle at all. Me, I’m always in sunglasses! 😎

[@SP-zo9pw]

I have blue eyes and have uveitis, dry eye and have light sensitivity. This video is interesting thank you

[@paulsugerik3389]

Thank you for what you are doing

[@nikolass83gianni]

Thanks for great video ... 👏😎

[@tomasantoncik1298]

Green brown eyes with dry eyes all my life. But first found of it thanks to you. Later confirmed by my doc. Always red eyed with sensivity problems when exposed to harsh fluorescent lights ie supermarkets. Likes to be in dark rooms with few light sources. The sun is not a friend so I can use sunglasses indoors in my flat from 3 pm to 22 pm during summer. It was worse in my younger days. Now I 62. But I use dark mode on my PC etc - or it's to hard to my eyes. Especially when you use it up to 12-16 hours a day.

[@sarougeau]

I have hazel eyes and have had photophobia symptoms for a few years now without realizing it was an eye problem until I watched this. I've been keeping spare pairs of sunglasses at the office and in my car because if I don't wear them on a sunny day I get all the symptoms you mentioned. I've never had a concussion and don't get migraines.

[@shoaibayjaz1337]

Contact lenses!! I always had some level of sensitivity to bright lights since I was younger, but it really worsened when I started wearing contact lenses. And for this reason I had to stop wearing contacts for good.

[@jpjunk4789]

Very interesting video, very good channel in general.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Thank you very much! I really appreciate that!

[@AECommonThread2137]

Sam Harris Brought me here. After hearing the word, I figured that's what this meant, but I never figured to investigate. I too wear sunglasses both for the wind and due to this condition.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Oh yeah!?? What did he have to say? I’m sorry to say I’m not super familiar with his work

[@ZACATCS]

I wear my sunglasses at night so I can see (Cory Hart, November 1983).

[@caseymarion2494]

Have to when driving at night to protect against headlights from oncoming vehicles.

[@gurmot]

I have hazel eyes and have started suffering with significant photophobia since suffering with Long Covid. Your comments on autism and concussion resonate with other things I’ve read which have similar symptoms to my long Covid. Low sunlight coming through a window, flashing sunlight when driving through trees, I almost need to stop driving sometimes. I struggle with sunglasses as the contrast with light coming around edges is unbearable for me. I prefer to wear a hat to keep sun out of my eyes.

[@cvent8454]

I too have hazel eyes and photo phobia and am suffering from Long Covid. If regular sunglasses don't help maybe try wraparound styles that block light from the side too. Just a thought. Hope you are feeling better.

[@gurmot]

@@cvent8454 thank you. I wear prescription glasses so wrap around sunglasses have not been possible. I suppose I could try contact lenses with them, hadn’t really thought of that. Cheers.

[@PeteCranfield]

Thank you so much, Dr. Allen. I've been experiencing a weird sensation lately. During my floater follow-up session when my doctor shone a light into my right eye, I felt a weird sharp buzzing tingles in my right ear. It was so weird and almost unbearable. My doctor told me that it could be a result of dry eye. So, I'm curious if dry eye can really be a cause of light sensitivity. If so, treating dry eye should be able to alleviate this weird light sensitivity, am I correct?

[@starshot5172]

I have blue eyes too and have the same problem. I also have eye migraines sometimes, and usually feel mentally stressed out after being outside in bright light. In kid's photos of myself, on holidays, I am always squinting my eyes when outisde. I have been diagnosed with ASD as well, allthough I do not see it much as a disorder.

[@ruolov1]

Did you do a video yet for car light glares at night? What should I wear cause it does bother my eyes and head at night when I drive? I have no clue about the polarized or AR or other additions to my glasses. I've never tried those additions. My doc said I have a slight astigmatism. I have myopia since the early 2000s.

[@user-td4tg9ro6n]

I'm 66 years old and have green eyes. My light sensitivity seems to be getting worse as I get older. Stepping outside never bothered me before, but does now. Driving at night was horrible, but now driving during the day is just as bad. The sun and the sun bouncing off of cars is blinding. I tried yellow glasses for nighttime driving, to no avail. Looking forward to your video on different lens types. Will definitely try Lutein.

[@princessJayNay22]

My photophoiba is because of all my eye surgeries and the trauma from them. I wear sunglasses at all times when out. Even on cloudy days.

[@cellgrrl]

Thank you so much for this video, I have a pretty bad case of photophobia and as I age it is getting worse. I had always thought it to be genetic, which you did not comment on so now I wonder if it is possible. But the fact is I am one of 5 siblings that all have severe photophobia. Our eye color varies, 2 girls have brown eyes, another girl has blue eyes, a boy has hazel eyes, and I have green eyes. We are all very light sensitive but I think I have it the worst. I am in agony during annual eye exams after dilation. Since I had a retinal tear, I must make frequent visits to the retina doctor who has super duper dilation drops and I am nearly stunned by the light. It is a private hell. You can only imagine what the surgery was like for me. I appreciate the reference to special glasses for the light sensitive and I will definitely look into it. BTW, for some reason light at high altitudes seems much brighter to me and I cannot look at anything white.

[@corteltube]

Thank you so much for your videos…I don’t feel so weird and alone…my friends always make fun of me because I am so sensitive to bright light. It’s impossible to drive at night and I have worn sunglasses inside when bright lights are used.

[@davefenton102]

Yes, definitely a sufferer of photopgobia, and have blue eyes. Definitely a chronic squinter if I'm outside without sunglasses. I have never been good at being in photos that are taken outdoors. I can hold a normal relaxed straight face for about one second, after that my face overpowers my best efforts to keep my eyes open and relaxed, and screws itself up into a sqinting and contorted scowl. I also cant help sneezing when looking at bright glarey things. A good example is sneezing when looking up into the sky to see a plane flying over, or looking at white objects that are in full sun. The brightness tickles my nose and i can't help sneezing at least once or twice. I have very good night vision. I have wondered if my blue eyes helps this, as my brown eyed friends don't seem to be able to see as well I do in the dark. I also found the autism spectrum connection you mentioned to be interesting. I'm in my forties now, and never really thought I might be on the autism spectrum until a couple of years ago. There are a number of reasons why I suspect I might be, but I'm not exactly sure if i actually am. So I find it interesting when little traits I've always had are mentioned as sometimes being linked with autism. Thanks for the videos you post

[@lukehall373]

Dr Allan. Could you please do a video on Binocular vision dysfunction. I don't think many people know about this condition and how it can effect people's lives and the symptoms they get. I think there should be a specialist in ever opticians cos of how easily missed it is. Or how not many optometrists can spot it. 🙏🙏

[@lexitejeda6209]

I have blue eyes and photophobia at times, but ONLY when I have a migraine or one is coming on. If I close blinds and lie down it will sometimes resolve. Migraines are rare now, but I used to get them very frequently.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Happy to hear the migraines are less frequent! I still get them once in awhile

[@judygyurnek4071]

I am an identical triplet. I have glaucoma. I had recent cataract surgery. I have dry eye that it is causing me much distress. I am seeing spiral lights, streaks of light and flickering light in my left eye.i had an optometrist exam my eyes today.She said she couldn’t see where the problems with light are coming from. She found nothing wrong with any retina issues, wouldn’t discuss dry eye or cataract surgery making my problem with light sensitivity any worse. Getting very discouraged. My triplet sisters have had either an issue with glaucoma or cataract surgery but no real complaints. We are identical so I guess my problems are not genetic in nature but still leave me with the burning question “Why me?” My eyes burn, the light reflections are terrible and no one can tell me why.Yes I have blue eyes but so do my identical triplet sisters...this is a miserable way to live...crying produces tears to help moisten my eyes but that’s about it. The eye drop, compresses and eye wash only help for a little while. Don you have any answers for me?

[@fantasyworld6236]

I have been seeing ghost images in both eyes since aroubd 3 weeks.The best way to describe it is seeing faint extra images coming from the top of whatever i am looking at, which is something lighter than its surroundings( like a street light at night or subtitles in movie). Imagine the letter “A” with a white font, on a screen on a black background, I would see faint copies of this letter above it.This happens with anything that is bright in darker background ( a black letter A in a white background would be fine). I observed that When i see through pinhole through a card, the double vision goes away. And while sleeping down and looking at a top angle from my glasses, the double vision goes away. Recently i got checked, and retina was checked and doc confirmed there is no problem can u tell what is the cause??

[@mb8787]

I react to fluid sunscreen, so if I apply it too close to/above my eyes, where sweat can make it seep into my eyes, or if I accidentally rub it into my eyes, I become extremely lightsensitive, to the point of having to stay inside and wear sunglasses for the rest of that day...

[@adamz7282]

I'm 28, I struggled with this my whole life and i never knew anyone else had it. Everyone thinks it's all in my head. I wear caps whenever I'm indoors at night because the lights give me a headache, i struggle to drive when the sun is infront of me or to my side. I have headaches nearly every day because of light

[@josephmolter3807]

I worked for many years in a darkroom and found that my eyes became very sensitive to light. I would wear sunglasses almost all year round outdoors or driving. Once digital photography came around and I shut down my darkroom the hypersensitivity has diminished. I still wear sun glasses outdoors and have transition lens that I wear all the time. The transition lenses do help. I also have blue eyes and was always told that made me more sensitive to bright lights. Overly bright headlights are the thing I found the most irritating presently, especially these new LED lights. I live in an area that has a great deal of hilly and twisting roads and on coming lights at a sharp angle can be almost blinding.

[@Jules_Diplopia]

Bright lights have always 'tired' my eyes, I end up squinting. Photochromatic glasses help to remove the most brightness and to reduce the sudden changes in light intensity. But tired muscles still would catch me out. Salbutamol has made a vast difference. Reducing muscle strain and allowing my eyes to work without exhaustion.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Great info! Thanks for sharing that.

[@steafra]

photophobic since forever, pale blue eyes, the kind of eyes that with old fashioned camera flesh lights come out bright red in the pictures...so in all my childhood pictures I am or squinting, outside, or looking like a vampire, inside (plus, I hated flash llights as they blinded me)....

[@pahogger]

I have a pair of prescription sunglasses that are polarized. I find that polarization is the best thing to help me with my light sensitivity especially when driving.

[@EyeOfWisdom1324]

I'm a light blue eyes person, and I have light sensitivity

[@geekgurl2000]

I'm female , 54, have light sensitivity and blue eyes. I typically wear a wide brim visor or hat, always outside and very often inside especially if fluorescent light is present. I have fibromyalgia plus other pain syndromes. Diagnosed autism spectrum disorder in my 40s. I also have some photodermatitis. Recent labs show at least one autoimmune disease.

[@phunghuyhoaofficial]

Interesting information! Great content as always! Thank you for discussing the subject of photophobia and migraines!

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

My pleasure! Thank you for watching!

[@blackjellybean678]

Thank you for this video. I knew this issue had a medical term. Got tired of my peers calling me Batman..

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

But Batman is pretty cool….😎

[@user-mp9id6yt1p]

Thank you for discussing this! Chemo induced uveitis, dry eye, light-sensitivity and floaters. Hats and dim lights have helped. Unfortunately, eye-drops while lubricating my eye does not seem to moisturize them (if that makes sense). I appreciate you sharing eyewear options and upcoming products that may offer some relief!

[@rabarimehul8608]

Orthoptic evaluation will help you in a best way for light sensitivty By Orthoptic evaluation if you have problem like Accommodation, Vergence or Fusion it can be treated by vision therapy & vision therapy work very well if you follow as directed by Optometrist(Optometrist specialized in vision therapy) or Squint specialist (Strabismologist)

[@stevenswann2835]

This was really helpful, thanks Dr Allen. I have light blue eyes and have suffered all my life from bright light intolerance. Any updates on eyeglass lenses to reduce this discomfort would be appreciated. Again, thanks for a a very useful video.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

You are very welcome! Glad it was helpful! I will have some updated videos on the MiWear once I can get my hands on them.

[@user-wr3gp8hj3i]

The vitamin link you hand in description is no longer available, is there another brand you suggest?

[@Coasterdude02149]

Back in my 20's I had a good friend who had grey eyes and he was light sensitive.

[@rubycore1013]

Sometimes when I’m sick with a mild headache. It was really bad when the cov was going around. I also at the same time my sense of smell was amplified to an incredibly uncomfortable level. Florescent light was the worst. I could see a slight aura around everything. Fortunately it only lasted for about two - three days before returning to normal. I do have light blue eyes.

[@MusicalAspie]

I have severe photophobia, and I'm also on the autism spectrum. I suspect it's a problem with the CNS. I remember when I was in university I had to sit under fluorescent light several hours a day. I would get a painful throbbing sensation in my eyes and sometimes it would feel more like a stabbing sensation. The pain would spread to the back of my head which would also start throbbing. Over the years I've tried lots of different tinted lenses. I currently have two different sunglasses that fit over my eyeglasses. One is light plum which I wear indoors. The other is a very dark plum which I wear outside. Recently I tried some Maui Jim sunglasses with rose lenses that felt so comfortable to my eyes. I'm waiting to get them in the mail. I'm always looking for a more comfortable solution.

[@rabarimehul8608]

Orthoptic evaluation will help you in a best way for light sensitivty By Orthoptic evaluation if you have problem like Accommodation, Vergence or Fusion it can be treated by vision therapy & vision therapy work very well if you follow as directed by Optometrist(Optometrist specialized in vision therapy) or Squint specialist (Strabismologist)

[@luuk5k]

I have brown eyes but I suffer from light sensitivity. My Doctor has even prescribed gray tinted glasses for me to wear.

[@therealdeal3672]

I realize now why I was always squinting in photos as a little kid. My mom would have us face the Sun for light and of course I would just squish my face up because it was too bright. My eyes are very light blue, like a light gray-blue. I really appreciate Transitions XTRActive lenses because they'll adapt and give me some tint in the house when its bright in the room or when I'm out and about and it's in a bright location. I also have several pairs of glasses with 20% tint that I like to wear, especially if I'm going to the dentist or the doctor or someplace where I'm going to be inside but I don't want clear glasses because I know it'll be bright but artificial light so it won't turn on the Transitions XTRActive photosensitivity. Prefer my lenses be dark when outside. Yes this is what caused me to be a :-( kid in all the photos. Squinting to shield my eyes from the sun. I also squint into headlights. Driving at night has gotten more difficult over the years.

[@Yourenotreal7]

Happened to me after cataract surgery!! Light colored eyes here. Suffered major migraines for years .… then one day they stopped. Started getting stabbing eye pain in one eye and got diagnosed with narrow angle glaucoma to which I got laser holes in my eyes. Now I have macular degeneration that they check on every 6 months to make sure it’s not changing from dry to wet …I’m taking the eye vitamins,wearing the tinted lenses for severe photophobia but still squinting or looking through one eye or shielding with my hand( people must think I’m weird😵‍💫)… also I have leukemia but not sure if there’s any connection there🙄

[@kaberry9996]

Have you looked into the sight care supplement yet?

[@daniellewild1854]

Please help me understand why my eyelashes are turning inward and how I can correct them. 🙏 (Trichiasis).

[@mariaager1924]

I have to wear two sunglasses and sometimes it’s still not enough. The sun is so blinding at all times of the day that sometimes I have to pull over because I’m blind while driving.

[@dracocepheus]

I have I have hazel blue eyes and have been sensitive to light as long as I can remember. Headaches have plagued me a the tips you give to help is exactly what I do except the supplement, I didn't know about that supplement and will give it a try. During your video you have a list of medication and I use to take Haldol as a child but hated it because I didn't want to do anything while taking it but now wondering if that could have started this!?! I have also had a Choroidal Melanoma in the right eye (malignant neoplasm of the iris/ciliary body) that is now dead.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Well thank god the melanoma has been caught and treated. Many blessings.

[@tinaplourde611]

I do have blue eyes and I have had migraine headaches with severe photo-sensitivity since I was in my teens and all through my life. That said, I have NEVER been able to tolerate lights on in my peripheral vision for any length of time. I tend to use in direct light (light that bounces off the ceiling or have a lamp behind me or out of my field of view. When driving at night, I use peripheral vision by looking toward the opposite direction of the oncoming car until they pass. The light causes me pain in the back of my eyes. Thank you for your suggestions!!

[@DaniCamo]

Photophobia sufferer here. I have blue/gray/green eyes depending on the lighting or what I'm wearing and I also have migraines. I'm also adhd, which is on the autism spectrum. I've talked to my eye Dr about my photosensitivity and she said another culprit could be that my pupils are larger than average (but not larger than normal) and my optic nerve opening is larger than average (but not larger than normal - though she's monitoring it for future concerns. I believe she said it's a higher risk for glaucauma). I also get severe flicker vertigo at just the bare minimum of flickering/flashing lights (even just a ceiling fan!) and severe motion sickness (not just in the car but even when I'm the one driving) AND driving at night is a nightmare. I come home nauseous and with eye pain and often also with a migraine. It's a struggle for real 😂 I also have a slight astigmatism and when I'm not wearing my glasses all of this is markedly worse. Actually, the reason I first got my eyes tested when I was in 3rd grade was because simply sitting and reading a book made me extremely nauseous. Oh I forgot - I also have visual snow. So all of this may be more related to the way my brain interprets visual stimuli. 🤷‍♀️ Anyway Currently I've been wearing fl-42 50% glasses all the time, even at night. It's helped SO much. And I'm aware of sunglasses reducing your light tolerance because I dealt with that several years ago and now that I think about it I need to research whether or not the fl-41 tinted lenses have been known to cause the same - but they are marketed to wear indoors and outdoors so hopefully not.

[@theblackdeamons8389]

I have very light green eyes and I hate lights 😣, I’ve got my super dark black sunglasses for most of the day and my much lighter sunglasses for late in the afternoon to shield the sun light. It’s ridiculous, being outside without sunglasses for too long, my eyes will literally force themselves shut

[@Dandee268]

I have hazel eyes and I've been light sensitive ever since i was a young child. I also have migraines. Thank god for transitional lenses.

[@3shal-kj6mz]

I hope this video is worth it for 11:25 minutes of my phone's light

[@chrisnewton2325]

2 years ago I had a mental breakdown and started medication. I stopped it early and noticed lights were so bright and my vision was blurry. 2 years on my stress is as high as ever and my light sensitivity and blurred vision remains. So stress can do it to

[@betsy1803]

I have fibromyalgia and extreme photophobia that developed about 5 months ago. If I’m exposed to bright light, I will start to shut down. My brain stops working, I can actually feel my eyes going up and out while I lose function of my body and literally feel like I’m dying with no way to ask for help because I can’t speak. Anyway, I bought FL-41 glasses (for migraines) and they changed my life. I highly recommend everyone to give it a shot if other things don’t work, I do wear them all day until the sun starts going down and I can switch to my regular glasses. Oh and I have blue/green eyes!

[@JohannnesBrahms]

You never mentioned age-related light sensitivity. It seems like the majority of people affected by sensitivity to light have some age-related change in their eyes that makes this condition common.

[@marklewis3579]

I'm 65, and this is the first time I've heard of this. I have blue eyes. And I've had kinda extreme light sensitivity as far back as I can remember (at least age 6). I squint when it's cloudy out (maybe not when it's really really dark clouds). Always have. I've worn sunglasses since I was at least 6. Snow on a sunny day is just the worst. No pain though. If I'm driving or sitting by a window, and it's bright out, my eye closest to the light source will sometimes tear. About 20 years ago, I started getting ocular migraines (according to my optometrist, but it may be the other one that is like that - I just can't remember the name). Luckily no headache - just the blurry vision in one eye and pulsating zig zag rainbow lines. It's not exactly random as I know what triggers it. It's triggered by extremely bright light (sometimes) and bright blue light (like from an LED) if my pupils are dilated because it's night. Just recently, it's gotten a bit worse so I have to close the blinds behind the TV when the sun is shining in. When I was a kid, I had none of the health issues that you spoke of. At least, none that I could be aware of. The only one possibility was having a metal fan drop on my head when I was 2. Sooo... undiagnosed concussion maybe?? Blue blockers are amazing. Whenever I wear them, it instantly feels like a cool compress across my eyes, and I don't squint at all. So clearly, the culprit is blue light. Interesting side note. I have a friend with light blue eyes and she rarely wears sunglasses. However, I have never seen pupils get so pinpoint (literally) as hers do in sunlight.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Concussions and head injuries do often result in higher rates of light sensitivity. And pinpoint pupils do help with light sensitivity. A side effect of some of the new miotic medications (such as Vuity) is people report dimming of light/vision.