Photophobia means “fear of light.” If you have photophobia, it doesn’t mean that you are afraid of light, it means you are very sensitive to it. The sun or outdoor lights can be more painful.

Photophobia is not a condition, but it is a symptom of another issue. Dry eyes, Migraine headaches, and swelling inside your eye are linked to light sensitivity.

It can also cause pain whenever you’re in indoor light or bright sunlight. You might feel like blinking or closing your eyes. There are chances that some people get headaches.

The Major Causes of Photophobia:

Photophobia is linked to the connection between cells in your eyes that detects light and a nerve that connects to the head. Migraines are the major common cause of light sensitivity. Up to 80% of people who get migraine have photophobia along with their headaches. Many people are sensitive to light though they don’t have a headache.

Other types of headaches can also cause photophobia. People who get tension and cluster headaches also say they’re uncomfortable around bright light.

A few brain conditions can cause photophobia, including:

• Serious brain injury
• Meningitis (means swelling of the protective coverings of your brain and spinal cord)
• Tumors in your pituitary gland
• Supranuclear palsy (this brain disorder causes problems with balance, walking, and eye movement).