Light sensitivity — from dry eye to uveitis
Photophobia — pain or discomfort in bright light — is a symptom, not a disease. In healthy eyes it is usually dry eye or migraine; in a red painful eye it can indicate uveitis or a corneal ulcer.
What can cause this — and how each feels different.
Dry eye
Mild photophobia relieved by lubricants, worse with screens and wind.
Migraine
Bilateral photophobia during a migraine episode, often with headache and nausea.
Corneal problems
Corneal abrasion, ulcer or foreign body — usually with pain, watering and blurred vision.
Uveitis
Deep aching pain, red eye, blurred vision and photophobia — needs prompt diagnosis and steroid drops.
Post-dilation photophobia
Normal after a dilated eye exam — settles in 4-6 hours; sunglasses help.
When to seek care — a practical guide.
Use the guide below only as a starting point. If you are unsure, run the free AI Symptom Checker or simply message us on WhatsApp — we would rather see you and reassure you than miss something serious.
Questions patients ask us most.
Can I wear sunglasses all the time?
It is fine as a coping measure, but chronic photophobia usually has an underlying cause worth diagnosing.
Is migraine photophobia the same as eye photophobia?
The sensation is similar but the cause is central (brain). If migraines are frequent, a neurology review helps in addition to the eye check.
The AI Eye Symptom Checker is an educational triage aid only. It cannot examine your eye and it cannot make a diagnosis. It is not a substitute for a physical, in-person consultation with an ophthalmologist. If you have any doubt, please book an appointment or come to the clinic.Concept by Dr. Shantanu Kumar Gupta & Dr. Manisha Mishra · Developed with AI
This article is for patient education. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, examination or diagnosis. If you have symptoms discussed here, please book an in-person consultation with a qualified ophthalmologist.