Vision - Light Sensitive

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What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting the sensitivity to light in detail may include:

• Time pattern
  • When did this begin?
  • Is the sensitivity to light constant or occasional?
• Quality
  • How severe is the sensitivity?
  • Are dark glasses needed?
  • Are darkened rooms needed?
• Aggravating factors
  • Have the pupils recently been dilated with medications?
  • Do you use contact lenses?
  • Do you have headaches?
  • Do you use soaps, lotions, or cosmetics around your eyes?
  • Have you had an exposure to dust, wind, sun, pollens, or chemicals?
• Relieving factors
  • Is it better after you rest?
  • Is it better when you wear dark glasses?
  • Is it better when you are in darkened rooms?
  • Do any medications make it better?
• Other
  • What other symptoms are also present?
    • Pain in the eye
    • Headache
    • Nausea
    • Neck stiffness
    • Blurred vision
    • Sore or wound in eye
    • Redness
    • Itching
    • Swelling
    • Dizziness
    • Numbness or tingling elsewhere in the body
    • Changes in hearing
• Additional important information
  • What medications are being taken?
  • Have you had any injuries?
  • Do you have a history of migraine headaches?
  • Do you use "street drugs"?

• Corneal scraping
• Slit-lamp examination
• Lumbar puncture

Again, in most cases, the cause is relatively minor and can easily be treated. However, you should be evaluated by an eye doctor or your primary doctor if the symptoms are severe or persistent.