CAUSES OF PHOTOPHOBIA  

Migraine : Photophobia is a common symptom of migraine. Migraine causes severe headaches that can be triggered by a number of factors, including hormonal changes, foods, stress, and environmental changes. Other symptoms include throbbing in one part of your head, nausea, and vomiting.

Conditions That Affect the Brain : Light sensitivity is commonly associated with a few serious conditions that affect the brain. These include:

Encephalitis : Encephalitis occurs when your brain is inflamed from a viral infection or other cause. Severe cases of it can be life-threatening.

Meningitis : Meningitis is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The bacterial form can lead to serious complications such as brain damage, hearing loss, seizures, and even death.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage : A subarachnoid hemorrhage occurs when you have bleeding between your brain and the surrounding layers of tissue. It can be fatal or lead to brain damage or a stroke.

CONDITIONS THAT AFFECT THE EYES

Photophobia is also common in several conditions that affect the eyes. These include:

Corneal abrasion : A corneal abrasion is an injury to the cornea, the outermost layer of the eye. This type of injury is common and can happen if you get sand, dirt, metal particles, or other substances in your eyes. This can lead to a serious condition called a corneal ulcer if the cornea becomes infected.

Scleritis : Scleritis occurs when the white part of eye becomes inflamed. 

Conjunctivitis : Also known as “pink eye,” conjunctivitis occurs when the layer of tissue that covers the white part of your eye becomes infected or inflamed. It’s mostly caused by viruses, but it can also be caused by bacteria and allergies. Other symptoms include itching, redness, and eye pain.

Dry eye syndrome : Dry eye occurs when  tear glands can’t make enough tears or make poor-quality tears. It results in your eyes being excessively dry. Causes include age, environmental factors, certain medical conditions, and some medications.

SYMPTOMS OF PHOTOPHOBIA

CORNEAL ABRASION: SYMPTOMS INCLUDE

• blurry vision
• pain or burning in  eye
• redness
• the sensation that you have something in  eye

ENCEPHALITIS

Symptoms include:

• severe headache
• fever
• being difficult to arouse
• confusion

MENINGITIS

Symptoms include:

• fever and chills
• severe headache
• stiff neck
• nausea and vomiting

SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE

Symptoms include:

• sudden and severe headache that feels worse toward the back of the head
• irritability and confusion
• reduced awareness
• numbness in parts of the body

PREVENTION 

• Try to avoid the triggers that cause to have migraine attacks.
• Prevent conjunctivitis by practicing good hygiene, not touching  eyes, and not sharing eye makeup.
• Reduce  risk of getting meningitis by avoiding contact with people who are infected, washing hands often, a
• Help prevent encephalitis by washing  hands frequently.

HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR LIGHT SENSITIVITY

Euphrasia – Top Grade Medicine to treat Photophobia

Euphrasia is prepared from a plant Euphrasia Officinalis commonly known by the name of Eyebright. The natural order of this plant is Scrophulariaceae. Euphrasia is top listed medicine to treat cases of photophobia. Eyes are very sensitive to light, and there may be spasm of the lids in some cases. Photophobia is worse during the day and in sunlight, and the affected person has a desire to remain in a darkened room. Eye pain and pressure, aching and darting-type pain is felt in the eyes when exposed to light. The eyes become red and there may be itching. Burning, biting in eyes, with smarting, hot, excoriating lachrymation is also present. A sensation of dust or sand in eyes is felt. Euphrasia is prominently indicated for photophobia in cases of iritis, keratitis, conjunctivitis and corneal ulcers.

2. Belladonna – For Photophobia with Dry Eyes

Belladonna is prepared from a plant named Deadly Nightshade. The natural order of this plant is Solanaceae. Belladonna is useful to manage the complaint of photophobia with dry eyes. There is intolerance to light with a desire to remain in dark room in cases needing Belladonna. The eyes get congested and look very red. Photophobia worsens on exposure to artificial light. Along with this, a gritty sensation in the eyes may be felt. Pain in the head and eyes are present, and it may be stinging or shooting in nature. It gets worse from movement and light. There may be a heated sensation present in the eyes. Belladonna is also indicated for keratitis with a congested eye, pain in eye and photophobia.

3. Natrum Mur – For Spasmodic Closure of Lids

Natrum Mur is a significant medicine for cases of photophobia where the eyes tend to close on exposure to light. The eyes may water and there may be a burning sensation. Severe pain in the temples may be felt along with blurring of vision. Natrum Mur is also a high-grade medicine to treat cases of blepharitis where photophobia is marked. In such cases, other symptoms are also present that include acrid eye discharge and burning/smarting in eyes.

4. Conium – For Photophobia with Excessive Flow of Tears

Conium is a well-indicated medicine for managing photophobia with an excessive flow of tears. The photophobia is severe and the flow of tears is profuse. The person feels better in a dark room. The borders of the eyelid may be swollen. There may be ulcers present on the cornea. This medicine is indicated in cases where the eye pain gets better by pressure.

5. Glonoine – For Photophobia with Headache

Glonoine is highly beneficial for photophobia that appears with a headache. The headache is throbbing and congestive in nature. Headache is marked in the temporal region, and the person feels as if the head would burst from pain. Heat is also felt in the head, and there is a marked sensitivity to light. Flickering or black spots may also be seen before the eyes. The eyes get red, and there may be a dimness of vision. In some cases, vertigo also accompanies the above symptoms.