Treatment of photophobia
In order to successfully treat photophobia, the cause must first be determined. The diagnosis is made by the family doctor, ophthalmologist, or neurologist. As soon as the trigger is found, appropriate treatment can begin. For example, if the photophobia is triggered as a side effect by a certain drug, the family doctor could stop the latter and prescribe an alternative drug.
People who are particularly light-sensitive by nature can avoid bright sunlight and other light sources by, for example, wearing wide-brimmed hats and more tinted sunglasses with UV protection outdoors. Also, a pair of glasses with photochromic glasses is worth photophobia considering. The glasses darken automatically outdoors and also block almost 100 percent of the sun's UV radiation. Polarized sunglasses help in strong sunlight and reflective environments such as water, sand, or snow. Your glasses offer additional protection against dazzling light reflections.
The diagnosis: How does the doctor diagnose an increased sensitivity of the eyes?
The doctor will first take an initial medical history. He asks about the exact complaints and finds out whether there are already previous illnesses that could play a role.
The ophthalmologist examines the eyes using a slit lamp. With this special examination device, a clouding of the lens, as it occurs in cataracts, can easily be detected. An opacity of the cornea or vitreous humor is also quickly visible under the slit lamp.
The doctor will probably also check your eyesight. This is usually done with a classic eye test, for example with the help of eye charts or the
Amsler grid test. The latter provides information on the presence of a retinal disease at an early stage.
Perimetry (field of view measurement)
Another helpful diagnostic method is perimetry or field of view measurement. During this examination, the ophthalmologist determines whether there are any deficits in visual perception. It measures the limits of the field of vision, i.e. the field of vision, which is perceived by the immobile eyes.This diagnostic measure also includes visual acuity. If the visual field fails, there may be an impairment of the optic nerve or the nerve pathways that transmit the visual center.
This is often the case with glaucoma, but this phenomenon can also occur with
retinal detachment (ablatio retinae) or with macular degeneration.
Neurological examinations
If the ophthalmologist does not diagnose an eye disease that is responsible for the light-sensitive eyes, he will probably refer the patient to another specialist, such as a neurologist.
They carry out various diagnostic examination methods in order to find neurological causes of the symptoms. This can include a CT or MRI of the brain, but also an EEG, i.e. the measurement of brain waves.