Painful light sensitivity

[Carolyn7]

Hello,

I had cataract surgery three years ago, also have corneal dystrophy (but nowhere close to needing transplant yet, according to my doctor), and some PCO (will have Yag soon). I saw my doc recently but with so many issues completely forgot to ask him this question: I noticed this year that when I was out walking for an extended period in sunlight (not particularly hot weather, just a sunny day in Germany), that my eyes became extremely painful for the remainder of the day. Bad enough that I often had to cancel evening plans and stay home. I wore dark sunglasses, and usually also a visor, but this didn't seem to help. Should I be concerned, or is this something I just have to put up with? What else can I do to help, other than totally give up walking on sunny days?? I had noticed previous years some sensitivity, but this year was the first time I found it debilitating.

Thank you.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

You could have a corneal surface disorder like dry eye keratopathy or possibly your fuch's dystrophy acts up when you are in bright sunlight.  Severe allergies and something like pigment dispersion syndrome or mild chronic uveitis are other things that come to mind.  I have no specific recommendations other than to mention it to your eye surgeon.  Wear dark sunglasses next time.

MJK MD

[Carolyn7]

As stated in my question, I usually wear dark sunglasses and also sometimes a sunvisor, but it didn't help much. Thanks for your reply and advice.