---
title: "Light sensitivity (photophobia) | Eye Health Guide"
description: "Common causes of light sensitivity, from dry eye to inflammation, and the warning signs that need urgent eye care. Clinically reviewed."
url: https://eyehealthguide.org/symptoms/light-sensitivity/
source: Eye Health Guide
licence: "General information only. Cite the URL and the named medical reviewer."
---

Symptom

# Light sensitivity (photophobia)

Pain with light sensitivity needs urgent care

Medical reviewer [Mr Mohamed Mohyudin](https://eyehealthguide.org/reviewers/mohamed-mohyudin/)· Last recorded site review July 6, 2026

### About this review

This page inherits the site’s previous review record. A separate, current article sign-off has not yet been recorded.

[How review works](https://eyehealthguide.org/reviewers/) · [Official biography & credentials](https://mohamedmohyudin.co.uk/author/mohamed-mohyudin/)

Quick answer

Light sensitivity, or photophobia, is discomfort in bright light. It often comes from surface irritation such as dry eye, or from a migraine. Light sensitivity with eye pain, redness or reduced vision needs urgent assessment, as it can signal inflammation inside the eye.

## When to get urgent help

- Light sensitivity with eye pain or a very red eye
- Reduced or changed vision
- Light sensitivity after an injury or chemical splash
- Severe headache with light sensitivity

### On this page ⌄

1. When to get urgent help
2. Common causes
3. What can help
4. Frequently asked questions

## Common causes

Light sensitivity has many causes. These are common ones, with the conditions to read next.

## What can help

- Sunglasses and reduced glare ease mild light sensitivity
- Lubricating drops help if the surface is dry
- Seek urgent care if light sensitivity comes with pain or vision loss

## Frequently asked questions

### Why are my eyes sensitive to light?

Light sensitivity often comes from a dry or irritated eye surface, or from migraine. Pain or reduced vision alongside it points to inflammation that needs urgent care.

### Is light sensitivity serious?

It can be when combined with eye pain, redness or reduced vision, which may signal uveitis or another problem inside the eye and needs prompt assessment.

### How can I ease light sensitivity?

Sunglasses, reducing glare, and lubricating drops for dryness help mild cases. Seek urgent care if it comes with pain or changes in vision.

Your next step

## Take this to your appointment

Write down what has changed, when it started, your current medicines and the questions you want answered. Take these to your eye-care appointment.

Sudden loss of sight, severe eye pain or a dark curtain across vision needs immediate assessment. Do not wait to complete a worksheet.

## Trusted sources

For general background, these organisations provide eye-health information. This list is further reading, not a record that they reviewed this article.

- [NHS — Health A to Z](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/)
- [Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust](https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/)
- [American Academy of Ophthalmology — EyeHealth](https://www.aao.org/eye-health)
- [National Eye Institute (NIH)](https://www.nei.nih.gov/)
- [College of Optometrists — Look After Your Eyes](https://lookafteryoureyes.org/)
- [World Health Organization — Eye care, vision impairment and blindness](https://www.who.int/health-topics/blindness-and-vision-loss)