The photophobia can be caused by many different conditions, so this is making difficult for this condition to be understood. One of the most common causes for photophobia is the migraine headache. The photophobia is generally characterized as a keen sensitivity to light. Also, there can be other causes for photophobia, such as viral conjunctivitis, ophthalmological diseases, mild traumatic brain injury, cataracts, etc.
There are some cases when the photophobia is a side effect of taking medications or undergoing a surgery. Also, it can be a response to some other eye irritation. In many cases, the treatment of this condition is addressed to the treatment of underlying cause. There are rare cases when the natural factors are causing photophobia which cannot be cured. When you have eyes that are sensitive to light, then the signals which your retinas send to your brain can be incorrectly interpreted as pain or discomfort.
If the light source is stronger, then you have more chances of experiencing a significant amount of discomfort. Also, there can be some signs which can tell that your photophobia have become more significant, such as burning sensation in the eyes; need to frequently close eyes or blink; neck stiffness; excessively watery eyes; a desire to squint; headache; pain in the eyes. It is noticed that people who have light – colored eyes, have more chances of getting photophobia. You need to talk with your doctor if you suffer from photophobia so he or she can tell you which the best home remedy for you is. In this way, you will avoid side effects.
Home remedies for photophobia
Contents
- 1 Home remedies for photophobia
- 1.1 Find ways to de – stress
- 1.2 Avoid known allergens
- 1.3 Riboflavin
- 1.4 Cover up reflective surfaces
- 1.5 Carotenoids
- 1.6 Be careful at your home
- 1.7 Get rid of fluorescent light bulbs
- 1.8 Meditation
- 1.9 Include more dark green vegetables in your diet
- 1.10 Use the 20 – 20 – 20 rule
- 1.11 Take a break from your computer or mobile device
- 1.12 Wear sunglasses with polarization when outside
- 1.13 Fully open your window blinds
- 1.14 Practice good hygiene
- 1.15 Reduce your risk of getting meningitis
- 1.16 Gradually increase light exposure
- 1.17 Stop taking the medicine which causes photophobia
- 1.18 Give your house a good wipe down
- 1.19 Take supplements
Find ways to de – stress
It is known fact that the migraine – related photophobia is often connected to other psychological disorders, such as anxiety and depression. The exact cause is still unknown, but the stress and anxiety can otherwise lead to a pain in a person with photophobia. You should make things which can help you to relax, such as listening to music, watching your favorite TV show, yoga or other exercises. They can make a big difference in how you feel.
Avoid known allergens
Many people think that allergies can only make you to sneeze and feel miserable, but they can do a lot more. The allergy can cause your eyes to be sensitive to light. One of the most common allergens is the pollen so if you are prone to seasonal allergies, then you should avoid your presence among trees, plants and grass. You could be fighting them a good portion of the year depending on where you live. You should avoid going out when the pollen in your area is high. When you go out, you should wear wraparound sunglasses which can give you some protection. You should talk with your doctor about the best way of avoiding allergens.
Riboflavin
You should eat foods that have riboflavin, such as almonds and cheese. It has been found that this substance is useful in migraine sufferers where the photophobia is a typical symptom.
Cover up reflective surfaces
When the light hits it at just right angle, then shiny surfaces can be a real pain. You should cover these items with a towel or sheet. You can also adorn them with non – reflective knick knacks which may not be ideal from a style standpoint, but it can help to minimize the chances of aggravating your sensitivity to light.
Carotenoids
You should eat foods with carotenoids, like lutein and zeaxanthin because it has been found that they are useful in reducing the symptoms of the photophobia, as well as various other eye problems. You can find these substances in dark green leafy vegetables and brightly colored fruits.
Be careful at your home
You should stay out of sunlight and you should keep the lights dimmed inside because this can make the photophobia less uncomfortable. You should keep your eyes closed or cover them with dark and tinted glasses which can also give you a relief from the symptoms of photophobia.
Get rid of fluorescent light bulbs
The fluorescent lighting has an invisible flicker and it has a significant amount of blue – green light and both lights can worsen the photophobia and light – sensitive conditions. A great alternative to these lights are LED light bulbs, particularly with warm color tones, as well as a natural lightening.
Meditation
There are some studies in which are shown that the meditation is helpful with photophobia. It can increase the gray matter volume in the areas of the brain which is involved in emotional reactions, memory, decision making, cognitive flexibility and planning. The meditation can reduce the stress, as well as migraine. There should be done a lot more studies about the effects of meditation on photophobia.
Include more dark green vegetables in your diet
There are many studies in which are shown that the dark green vegetables have zeaxanthin and lutei which can help to minimize the symptoms of photophobia. Some of the best dark green vegetables which you should add in your diet are spinach, kale and collards. You should incorporate these foods into your regular diet, so it can help to prevent age – related conditions, macular degeneration and cataracts. This can help to improve the vision naturally.
Use the 20 – 20 – 20 rule
When you are using your computer a lot, then it can make your eyes to be very dry and strained, which means that it leaves your eyes sensitive to light, tired and watery. The AAO (American Academy of Ophthalmology) is recommending the 20 – 20 – 20 rule to help combat the eye strain and fatigue. Every twenty minutes which you are on your computer, you should stop and for twenty seconds to look at something twenty feet away. This will give your eyes a break and it can help to reduce the eye strain.
Take a break from your computer or mobile device
Those people who spend a lot of time during the day on computer or mobile phone, have increased chances of being affected by the computer vision syndrome. The photophobia, headaches and eye strain can be signs of the computer vision syndrome. You should take frequent eye breaks from your device or you should put it down for a while if you can.
Wear sunglasses with polarization when outside
If you are going into daylight, then you should be sure to take your polarized sunglasses to cut down on glare, sunlight and reflection.
Fully open your window blinds
It has been shown that striped and high contrast light patterns can exacerbate an overactive brain. You should completely open or close your window blinds because this can remove the issue of scattered light hitting your eyes unexpectedly. If you opt to close your window blinds, then you should be sure that you have enough light elsewhere.
Practice good hygiene
It is known that the conjunctivitis is one of the main causes for photophobia. You can prevent this condition by practicing good hygiene. You should not touch your eyes and you should not share your eye makeup with others.
Reduce your risk of getting meningitis
You can avoid your risk of getting meningitis by avoiding contact with people who are affected by this condition. You should wash your hands often and you should get immunized against bacterial meningitis.
Gradually increase light exposure
When you are inside, you cannot hide out in the dark or cover your eyes with sunglasses. You should keep lights on, even at dimmer levels, because it is important step to alleviate the photophobia.
Stop taking the medicine which causes photophobia
If you have noticed that some medicine which you take is the cause for photophobia, then you should stop taking it. There is not a definitive list of medications which can cause photophobia as a side effect, but some doctors have linked this condition with common drugs used to treat other conditions. If you have noticed some side effect from the usage of certain medication, then you should talk with your doctor if you should continue using it.
Give your house a good wipe down
No one likes dirt, grime or streaks on their floors or furniture and they can be especially bad for people who suffer from photophobia.
Take supplements
You should take supplements and adapt your diet to help you to deal with the vitamin deficiencies. It is noticed that the photophobia is a common problem with people who have low levels of Vitamin A and Vitamin B, so the supplementation can be useful as home remedy for photophobia.
References:
What Causes Photophobia? https://www.healthline.com/symptom/photophobia . Published October 6, 2015
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003041.htm . Published May 10, 2017
Overview of Photophobia. https://www.verywellhealth.com/overview-of-photophobia-4586489 . Published April 18, 2019