Many people know it. In summer, it seems to be particularly noticeable: the sensitivity to light. As soon as you see the sun or a bright artificial light, your eyes water. Simply every light source seems to dazzle you! You can also be dazzled by headlights while driving, for example. This can certainly become a greater danger than you initially think.
Some people are even so influenced by the light that their way of life can be severely limited. Possible causes are certain clinical pictures, such as cataracts or other limitations. In order to understand this a little better, we will talk about possible causes of photosensitivity and what you can do about it in this case.
Especially in summer, but also in winter, when the bright snow is blinding and the sun is still shining, many people can no longer get out without sunglasses. This fact is one of the possible effects of photosensitivity. Other symptoms include burning or watering eyes, weak or severe headaches. These symptoms can be long-term or acute and relapsing.
Light sensitivity of the eyes is referred to as photophobia or photosensitivity. If such a disease is present, those affected react extremely to bright light. It can cause them to have burning or watery eyes or nausea and headaches. Incidentally, it is relative whether the light comes from an artificial source or from the sun. You are now wondering whether such photosensitivity is temporary?
This question cannot be answered with certainty. You first have to clarify the causes. If there is a serious illness behind it, you may still feel something of it for the rest of your life despite drug treatment or therapy. However, this does not have to be the case, as this varies from person to person. If the reason for the light sensitivity of the eyes is only a small thing, this usually disappears again on its own.
Glare sensitivity, or light sensitivity, can have many causes. First of all, however, it should be mentioned that it is not always necessary to have an underlying disease. In some cases, however, diseases such as conjunctivitis or corneal inflammation, various vascular diseases or certain forms of migraines can be the cause.
Surely you have heard of the term “cataract“, but what exactly is it? A human body can only use certain senses in full force for a certain amount of time. Over time, however, different ageing processes contribute to the fact that perception becomes increasingly weaker. The cataract describes a clouding of the lens of the eye, which occurs approximately after the age of 50. However, this varies from person to person. This cloudiness can lead to blurred vision and also to photosensitivity.
If you have recently had your eyes lasered for various reasons, it may be normal for you to be a little more sensitive to light and have dry eyes afterwards. In this case, you do not have to worry, as this usually subsides quickly.
Often you do not know what causes photosensitivity and whether a serious illness or just a small thing is behind it. Therefore, it is advisable to go to the doctor if you notice that you are particularly sensitive to light. Above all, you should take it seriously if pain is added to your vision or the like. It is not necessary to go to the doctor if the sensitive reaction occurs only briefly and subsides after a short time.
Before visiting the doctor, you can take measures to alleviate the symptoms yourself. In these cases, a darkened room or sunglasses usually help. However, if this becomes a permanent solution, you should consult a doctor. Otherwise, polarizing or photochromic glasses are also possible, which automatically darken and block the UV radiation. If your sensitivity to light is caused by dry eyes, these can be moistened by eye drops. In technical language, this is referred to as Sicca syndrome.
When you visit an ophthalmologist, they first clarify the symptoms and possible causes with you and carry out tests to make a suitable diagnosis and plan the therapy. What happens then?
For example, if photosensitivity is caused by eye disease, the doctor will give you anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medications. If an age-related change such as a cataract is behind it, you have the option to fix the problem via a cataract operation. Do you suffer from cataract symptoms? Get in touch with us and take the Grey Star Surgery Aptitude Test. We are also happy to advise you personally in our laser eye centre in Stuttgart or in the laser eye centre in Karlsruhe. Read interesting facts about the eye!
Hat Ihnen dieser Beitrag gefallen? Teilen Sie ihn mit anderen!
