Pronounced signs of visual impairment signal an exacerbation of chronic diseases and the development of ophthalmological pathologies.
In certain cases, photophobia is a normal reaction and occurs in every person. For example, when the light is turned on suddenly in a dark room. Therefore, in the case of photophobia in adults or children, it is important to be able to distinguish normality from pathology and know in which diseases visual disturbances are observed.
Treatment of photophobia is closely related to preventive measures and depends on the cause that caused the unpleasant symptoms.
Photophobia symptoms
Photophobia can manifest itself in the following signals:
- squinting eyelids even in conditions of
In this article
Photophobia symptoms
- Causes
- Photophobia as a symptom
- Diagnosis and treatment of photophobia
dim lighting;
Photophobia is often accompanied by headache and dizziness, the effect of sand in the eyes, and a gradual deterioration in visual function. The presence of photophobia can be determined independently by these symptoms, but you should consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and prescription of corrective therapy.
Treatment
Psychotherapy has proven itself in the fight against all types of phobias
Complex therapy is required, which includes both psychological influence and medication (if necessary), including those drugs that help improve the condition caused by the side effects of this phobia.
- Medications may be prescribed to compensate for the lack of calciferol.
- They may prescribe tranquilizers, antidepressants, and beta blockers.
- During psychotherapy sessions, they can resort to hypnotic influence, in which a person is instilled with a strong belief that he should not be afraid of light.
- The cognitive-behavioral method can be used when a specialist changes the incorrect attitudes formed in the patient’s head.
- Neurolinguistic programming. An individual changes his mind by copying the behavior model of a healthy person.
- Autotraining is an independent suggestion to yourself that light is not fraught with danger.
- Desensitization. The phobia is overcome by gradually approaching the object that causes strong fear.
- If photophobia is caused by some disease that does not have psychological origins, then treatment, depending on the cause, is prescribed by a neurologist, oncologist, ophthalmologist or infectious disease specialist. Therapy is aimed at getting rid of the condition that provokes photophobia.
- In order to overcome this fear, it is extremely important that a person has support in the form of close people, so that he believes in his strength, his capabilities. It is important that those around you convey the fact that sunlight is very important for the health of any individual, and its absence can lead to serious, undesirable consequences. It is necessary to understand that the state of a person experiencing a phobia can be uncontrollable, and it is extremely difficult to overcome it on your own.
Now you know what photophobia is. As you can see, there may be several reasons that provoke the development of such fear. It is important to understand what this condition is fraught with and what consequences it can lead to.
Causes
- Photophobia can occur for non-pathological reasons:
- a congenital structural feature of the eye with the absence of coloring pigment;
- dilated pupils when using eye drops;
- use of certain medications;
- prolonged work at the computer, which overloads the eyesight and causes dry mucous membranes;
- prolonged stay in the dark;
- the presence of a foreign body in the organs of vision (in this case, photophobia usually affects one eye and is accompanied by cutting sensations);
- exposure to excess sunlight on the retina.
For such reasons, fear of bright light does not indicate the presence of a disease.
But in some cases, photophobia is a sign of the disease, which, in combination with other signs, indicates the true cause of the pathology:
- the presence of an ophthalmological disease (keratitis, conjunctivitis, etc.);
- acute infectious diseases (measles, rubella, meningitis);
- cold viral infections;
- in rare cases - neurological disorders, depressive disorders, chronic fatigue.
Getting rid of photophobia in such situations can only be done by identifying and treating the underlying disease.
Symptoms and causes of sunphobia
Fear of the sun or sunlight in some cases occurs for no apparent reason. This phenomenon is based on some frightening event associated with the luminary. It could have been experienced in childhood, the person forgot about it long ago, but the fear remained. When exposed to direct sunlight, anxiety and irritation arise, which develops into panic.
The disease of fear of sunlight leads to the fact that fengophobes close themselves in a dimly lit room. Their circadian rhythm is disrupted, as they sleep during the day and begin active activities in the late afternoon. The “hood symptom” is observed when a robe or blanket is thrown over the head as an element of protection from light irritants.
Fear of sunlight develops into panic attacks. If a heliophobe is exposed to the sun, then somatic manifestations become:
- increased heart rate;
- frequent and uneven breathing;
- nausea turning into vomiting;
- panic;
- the desire to hide in a dark place.
A person must take refuge in the shade, otherwise his health worsens. A hypertensive crisis, arrhythmia develops, and fainting is possible.
Important: Heliophobe does not have vitamin D, the formation of which requires sunlight. Gradually, the skin becomes pale and hypovitaminosis appears. Chronic fatigue, irritability, uncontrollable headaches, and depressive episodes are observed.
Photophobia as a symptom
By analyzing the compatibility of symptoms, you can guess what pathology caused the appearance of photophobia, but only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis.
- Photophobia and lacrimation
Their simultaneous appearance may indicate a mechanical injury, a foreign body or substance entering the eye; inflammation or erosion of the cornea; conjunctivitis; influenza or acute respiratory disease; aniridia and other developmental anomalies of the eyeball; inflammation, melanoma or retinal detachment; retinopathy; hemophthalmos; hyperthyroidism; uveitis; migraine; encephalitis, meningitis.
In addition to lacrimation and photophobia, each of these diseases is characterized by a whole list of other symptoms that help the doctor make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe competent treatment.
- Photophobia and eye pain
They can be combined with burns, ulcers, mechanical damage to the cornea, spring catarrh, acute glaucoma, endophthalmitis.
- Photophobia and redness of the eyes
The simultaneous appearance of these signs may indicate injury or burn of the cornea, keratitis, uveitis, conjunctivitis.
- Sun sensitivity and fever
Increased sensitivity to light in combination with a rise in body temperature may indicate meningitis, endophthalmitis, encephalitis, trigeminal neuralgia, hemorrhagic stroke, brain abscess, purulent uveitis.
- Photophobia and headache
This combination is typical for brain abscess, migraine, encephalitis and meningitis, stroke, tension headaches, acute attacks of glaucoma, acromegaly.
- Fear of light and nausea
Typically, nausea combined with photophobia indicates increased pressure inside the eyes or skull, which is typical for diseases such as meningitis, migraines, hemorrhagic stroke, and brain abscess.
- Photophobia and pain in the eyes
Cutting sensations in the eyes with fear of bright light are characteristic of conjunctivitis, keratitis, astigmatism, trigeminal neuralgia, uveitis, blepharitis, ulcers and burns of the cornea.
Causes of photophobia of the eyes
The origin of photophobia can be of different nature:
- Physiological - photophobia resulting from prolonged exposure to darkness and twilight, too bright lighting, excessive UV irradiation, excessively long daily reading, working at a monitor or studying books; in addition, albinism and light eye colors as a result of translucent iris .
- Pathological - as a consequence of various burns, injuries, eye diseases, or is a symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome , dry eyes , depression , neurasthenia , headache , stroke , abscess and brain tumors , as well as intoxications , pityriasis rosea , rubella , , rabies , influenza , meningitis , epilepsy , manifestations of trigeminal neuralgia , blepharospasm , cataracts, glaucoma , Parkinson's syndrome , adenoviral or allergic conjunctivitis , keratoconus , retinal detachment and keratitis .
- Pharmacological - when using anticholinergic drugs that dilate the pupils, for example, Atropine , Ipratropium , Pirenzepine , as well as sedatives such as barbiturates, benzodiazepines, Haloperidol , the antiepileptic drug Ethosuximide , antidepressants, etc.
A number of factors and changes in the nervous system contribute to the development of excessive sensitivity to light. These include:
- increased sensitivity to loud sounds;
- depletion of nervous system mediators;
- lack of sleep;
- irritability;
- excessive emotional stress and stress;
- chronic fatigue;
- power errors.
Causes of photophobia in children
The state of hypersensitivity to the effects of light rays on the eyes may be transient and functional, or may be associated with other organic pathological processes. It is important to know what diseases photophobia can occur as a manifestation or complication of the disease and contact a pediatrician as soon as possible for their diagnosis and treatment!
Diagnosis and treatment of photophobia
Therapy for photophobia is based on finding and eliminating the cause of this symptom. The following types of studies help to detect a disease that has manifested itself as photophobia:
- ophthalmoscopy - when performed, the doctor examines the fundus of the eye using a special device;
- biomicroscopy - an ophthalmologist examines areas of the fundus and the vitreous body through a slit lamp for changes;
- perimetry - this method allows you to establish the boundaries of the patient’s field of vision;
- tonometry - a test during which the doctor measures the pressure inside the eyes;
- gonioscopy - involves examining the corner of the eye where the iris borders the cornea;
- pachymetry is a diagnostic test in which the doctor determines the thickness of the cornea;
- Ultrasound of the organs of vision - helps to examine areas of the eye when ophthalmoscopy is not possible;
- fluorescein angiography - during this, the doctor examines the patency of the vessels that feed the ocular structures;
- optical tomography - it is used to detect changes in the tissues of the retina;
- electroretinography is a research method aimed at analyzing the functioning of the retina;
- culture for viruses, bacteria - helps to establish the source of the eye infection.
These diagnostic methods allow the ophthalmologist to name the exact cause of the development of photophobia and other associated symptoms. If ophthalmological examinations show the absence of eye diseases, but photophobia is present, consultation with a neurologist is required. This specialist may prescribe additional diagnostic tests: MRI of the brain, Dopplerography of the cervical vessels, electroencephalography.
If, along with photophobia, signs of hyperfunction of the thyroid gland or diabetic retinopathy were detected, an endocrinologist is involved in treatment. For symptoms indicating a tuberculosis process in the cornea, call a phthisiatrician.
Consultation with an ophthalmologist in case of photophobia is mandatory, but prophylactic wearing of sunglasses, which will significantly reduce the dose of ultraviolet radiation affecting the organs of vision, will help ease its course.
Diagnostics
A psychiatrist or psychotherapist makes a diagnosis of a psychological problem. If there is another reason, then the therapist who redirects to a specialist.
Diagnostic methods include:
- communication between a specialist and a patient in order to identify information about the specific situations in which a state of anxiety occurs; it also becomes clear in what conditions the person lives, what his daily routine is;
- testing for anxiety levels by Spielberger Khanin;
- a test that determines the degree of anxiety on a rank scale.
Causes of phobia
Heliophobia can be triggered by a personal negative experience, such as sunstroke. However, much more often the cause of a phobia of sunlight is the fear of getting cancer. Active ultraviolet radiation is indeed called a risk factor when describing melanoma. Some people are afraid of light due to fear for their eyes, since bright light can affect vision, even leading to complete blindness. These reasons can be conditionally classified as hypochondriacal. Sometimes fear can take such an obsessive form that it develops into obsessive-compulsive disorder if the patient finds saving rituals for himself. Also, social phobia and agoraphobia can act as both consequences and causes of the problem.
Insufficient exposure to sunlight leads to a lack of vitamin D, which negatively affects your well-being. Depression may develop and biorhythms may become disrupted.
Fear of light in a child
Fear of light (photophobia) in a child can be caused by the same reasons as in an adult. Any of the already mentioned diseases of the eyes and internal organs can occur in childhood. However, the child is more sensitive to everything, and therefore such a symptom may appear as a result of stress or chronic fatigue of the baby. Taking certain medications may cause photophobia as a side effect. If a child has poor vision and wears lenses for a long time, or sits in front of a computer, all this also contributes to an uncomfortable reaction to light.
Whatever the reason behind the symptom of photophobia in a child, it must be shown to a doctor. In addition, the child must receive the necessary amount of vitamins, spend enough time in the fresh air, follow the rules of hygiene in kindergarten and at home - all this will help the child’s body more easily cope with possible illnesses.
Types of phobias and what they have in common
Intolerance to bright light is called photophobia. We are talking about radiation intensity that is acceptable, on average, for a person. Naturally, most people will not be able to calmly look at welding or the Sun at its zenith, but if even a luminous flux of 500 lumens from a light bulb causes discomfort, it is worth considering, because this may indicate eye problems.
There is another term - heliophobia. In this case, the fear of sunlight is implied. Here we are talking about a psychological symptom. This phobia belongs to the specific category, however, it is closely intertwined with both social phobia and agoraphobia. Fear of sunlight provokes a person to some social isolation, because most people lead a daytime lifestyle. In severe cases, agoraphobia is added to heliophobia, which does not allow a person to leave the room at all, depression, hypovitaminosis, obsessive-compulsive disorder.
