Causes of Photophobia

Photophobia (Light Sensitivity), in itself is not a disease. It is a symptom of many eye conditions such as inflammation or infection that can irritate your eyes. It can be one of the most common symptoms of an underlying disease that do not affect the eyes directly like migraine or severe headache or some virus caused illness.

Few common causes of photophobia include uvetis, central nervous system disorder such as meningitis and corneal abrasions. Light sensitivity is further related with contact lens irritations, refractive surgery, detached retina and sunburn.

People who have light colored eyes experience more light sensitivity in different environments having  bright light because dark colored eyes have more pigment to protect them from harsh lighting.

Keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans (KFSD), a genetic and a rare disease causes Photophobia. Moreover, the consumption of some medicines may also lead to photophobia. Some of these medicine includes doxycycline,  quinine,  and furosemide.

Often, it accompanies total color deficiency, mercury poisoning, albinism (lack of eye pigment), iritis, conductivities, botulism, keratitis and rabies.