Light sensitive eyes

[Washington_Irving]

Hello group.

For a while I have suffered with sensitive eyes: they were sore, I blinked like a lunatic and I had dark circles under my eyes.. Up until a couple of days ago I believed it was caused by dry eyes. Then, for some reason, I thought it might have something to do with light so I decided to try wearing sunglasses. I wore them constantly around the house - day and night - and they definitely felt better.

Unfortunately, I have long since believed that anyone wearing sunglasses indoors, and outside in anything other than sunny conditions, should be ridiculed and beaten with sticks. I now know this is wrong, but I also know I'll feel uncomfortable if I have to wear sunglasses all day.

I plan on visiting the optician, but could anyone who knows more than this ignorant person shed some light on possible solutions?

Thanks.

[Washington_Irving]

Thanks for your reply, Glenn.

I'm not on any medication at this moment, but I will note down what I've taken in recent times and bring it up with the optician.

[cdn_glenn]

Sorry, I'm not sure why my above links were deleted by MedHelp (while other links to external searches or articles in different posts remain).

Please put: "medication photosensitivity" without the quotes into Google or other search engine.  You'll find the article I was referring to.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[cdn_glenn]

Here's an odd thought.  I used to take oral Psoralen for treatment of Vitiligo.  This intentionally caused light sensitivity in skin cells.  Unintentionally this caused increased visual light sensitivity.  In addition to wearing UV400 rated clear glasses I also found I needed sunglasses for bright office conditions.

The doctors also provided information on what medications increased light sensitivity.  This included antibiotics and a list of other over-the-counter medications.  I am wonder if you are taking any prescribed or over-the-counter medications that may affect your vision.  I'm just guessing, but it's worth a chat with your MD.

I did a quick Google search:
http://www.****.***

and came up with:
http://www.****.***
that lists a number of medications that increase photosensitivity.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[Washington_Irving]

Thanks for your thoughts, John. I'll do some research on your suggestions and then hopefully I'll be able to try both options at the opticians.

An update: I continued to wear sunglasses today and I'm convinced that the sensitivity is caused by light and not dryness as I originally thought. Maybe somebody reading this that suffers with eye sensitivity could try the same to see if it helps at all.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You might get photochromic glasses ("transitions") that will darken or lighten depending on the amount of ambient light or gradiant tints which are tinted more on the top to block overhead light but less on the bottom so as not to interfear with reading. Or wear a hat with a bill indoors, that doesn't seem to be considered impolite as it used to be.

JCH MD