references
National Eye Institute: “Dry Eye”
Mayo Clinic: “Corneal abrasion (scratch): First aid”
National Eye Institute: “Uveitis”
Mayo Clinic: “Pink eye (conjunctivitis)”
Royal National Institute of Blind People: “Other causes of light sensitivity”
National Institutes of Health: “Albinism”
Mayo Clinic: “Concussion”
American Migraine Foundation: “Photophobia (Light Sensitivity) and Migraine”
Sleep Foundation: "Sleep Deprivation and Migraines"
American Academy of Ophthalmology: "Computers, Digital Devices and Eye Strain"
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Prevention"
Wisconsin Department of Health Services: "Medications and other Agents that Increase Sensitivity to Light"
Duke Health: "Myth or Fact: Blue Eyes Are More Sensitive to Light"
Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.
Dry eye or a scratch on your cornea may be to blame if your eyes are sensitive to light.
Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages
Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages
Taking breaks from your screen may also help prevent or ease symptoms of dry eye, according to the AAO.
Limit blue light exposure before bed, as too much of it can get in the way of quality sleep, which can in turn trigger a migraine, according to the Sleep Foundation.
Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis is very contagious, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Frequently wash your hands, glasses and any other items that come into contact with your eyes to avoid spreading it.
If you have a concussion, it’s also important to rest and refrain from exercise that aggravates your symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Similarly, people with blue eyes may be more sensitive to light because there’s less pigmentation to absorb incoming wavelengths compared to people with brown or dark eyes, according to Duke Health.
National Eye Institute: “Dry Eye”
Mayo Clinic: “Corneal abrasion (scratch): First aid”
National Eye Institute: “Uveitis”
Mayo Clinic: “Pink eye (conjunctivitis)”
Royal National Institute of Blind People: “Other causes of light sensitivity”
National Institutes of Health: “Albinism”
Mayo Clinic: “Concussion”
American Migraine Foundation: “Photophobia (Light Sensitivity) and Migraine”
Sleep Foundation: "Sleep Deprivation and Migraines"
American Academy of Ophthalmology: "Computers, Digital Devices and Eye Strain"
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Prevention"
Wisconsin Department of Health Services: "Medications and other Agents that Increase Sensitivity to Light"
Duke Health: "Myth or Fact: Blue Eyes Are More Sensitive to Light"
