How to Treat Photophobia
Photophobia is an uncomfortable and often painful condition affecting individuals living with light sensitivity. While the exact cause of photophobia may vary, common symptoms include a strong aversion to bright or flickering lights, eye pain, excessive tear production, headaches, nausea, and disorientation. People living with photophobia may find it incredibly difficult to work in normal lighting conditions during the day or go out in public at night due to the intensity of their discomfort. Luckily there are measures a person can take to treat this condition. Discover new treatments that reduce its impact.
Wear Sunglasses
When deciding how to treat photophobia, one helpful strategy to consider is wearing a pair of sunglasses. Wearing sunglasses reduces brightness, thus eliminating or minimizing the discomfort caused by photophobia. In addition, the corrective lenses in prescription sunglasses will sharpen objects being viewed due to glare reduction. This added benefit improves sight and makes everyday tasks easy to handle. To ensure you get the best protection, use UV-blocking, polarized sunglasses with light-diminishing tints and an anti-reflective coating.
Invest in Blue-Light Filtering Glasses
Another great way to live with photophobia is to invest in blue-light filtering glasses. These glasses help filter out the harmful blue light emitted from computer screens and many types of artificial lighting. Blue light waves have been linked to eye strain and headaches, so using these glasses helps reduce the discomfort associated with photophobia. In addition to protecting the eyes from blue light, investing in a pair of these glasses also helps improve sleep cycles and reduce digital eye strain.
Try Light Therapy
Light therapy is an effective treatment that has been used for decades to reduce the symptoms of photophobia by gradually exposing individuals to bright lights in a controlled environment. Light therapy is often done under the supervision of a medical professional who monitors and adjusts the amount of light being administered until the patient can tolerate it without discomfort. A major benefit of light therapy is that patients will adjust their exposure level as they become more comfortable with it, allowing them to gradually increase the brightness and duration until they can tolerate normal lighting conditions.
Adjust Your Lifestyle Habits
Making changes to certain lifestyle habits reduces the symptoms of photophobia. The changes include avoiding physical contact with bright lights, taking frequent breaks from computer screens, protecting the eyes from dust and wind, and wearing hats outdoors. In addition, a balanced and nutritious diet helps reduce eye strain and improve overall health.
Explore Alternative Treatments
Finally, exploring alternative treatments for photophobia is beneficial. These may include activities such as acupuncture or meditation, which have been shown to provide relief from a variety of conditions. Exploring these options helps an individual find the best treatment plan to alleviate the photophobia symptoms and improve overall well-being.
Photophobia is frustrating and uncomfortable, but you can successfully reduce its effects with the right knowledge and treatments. Wearing sunglasses, investing in blue-light filtering glasses, trying light therapy, adjusting lifestyle habits, and talking to a doctor are all practical measures that may help treat photophobia. With the right steps and support from medical professionals, photophobia symptoms will be effectively managed.