Photophobia
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| Photophobia Classification and external resources | |
| ICD-10 | H53.1 |
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| ICD-9 | 368.13 |
| DiseasesDB | 24599 |
| MedlinePlus | 003041 |
| MeSH | D020795 |
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Most recent articles on Photophobia Most cited articles on Photophobia | |
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Ongoing Trials on Photophobia at Clinical Trials.gov Clinical Trials on Photophobia at Google
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Patient resources on Photophobia Discussion groups on Photophobia Patient Handouts on Photophobia Directions to Hospitals Treating Photophobia Risk calculators and risk factors for Photophobia
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753
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Overview
Photophobia (also light sensitivity) or fear of light, is a symptom of excessive sensitivity to light and the aversion to sunlight or well-lit places. In medical terms, it is not fear, but an experience of discomfort or pain to the eyes due to light exposure.
Pathophysiology
Light sensitivity is usually due to too much light entering the eye, which causes over stimulation of the photoreceptors in the retina and subsequent excessive electric impulses to the optic nerve. This leads to a reflex aversion to light, and discomfort or pain. Too much light can enter the eye if it is damaged, such as with corneal abrasion and retinal damage, or if a pupil(s) is unable to normally constrict (seen with damage to the oculomotor nerve).
Differential diagnosis of causes of photophobia
Patients may develop photophobia as a result of several different medical conditions, related to the eye or the nervous system.
- Meningitis
- Eye disease, injury, or infection such as chalazion, episcleritis, glaucoma, keratoconus
- Subarachnoid haemorrhage
- Albinism
- Burns to the eye
- Migraines
- Encephalitis
- Conjunctivitis
- Aphakia
- Iritis
- Corneal abrasion
- Corneal ulcer
- Cataracts
- Retinal detachment
- Chiari malformation
- Cystinosis
- Anticholinergic drugs may cause photophobia by paralyzing the iris sphincter muscle.
- Hangover
- Chikungunya
- Conjunctivitis
- Encephalitis
- Idiopathic anterior uveitis/iritis
- Influenza
- Keraconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye)
- Lightly pigmented eye
- Meningitis
- Migrane
- Mydriatic use
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Signs and symptoms
Patients with photophobia will avert their eyes from direct light (sunlight and room lights), or may seek the shelter of a dark room or wear sunglasses.
Photophobia is also a behavior demonstrated by insects or other animals which seek to stay out of the light.
See also
- Heliophobia, fear of sunlight
- Photosensitivity, the amount to which an object reacts upon receiving photons of light
- Erythropoietic protoporphyria, a disease manifesting itself with painful photosensitivity
- Photic sneeze reflex, a medical condition by which people exposed to bright light sneeze
References
Lewis, C.S. Poems: C.S. Lewis. U.S.: Harvest/HBJ, 1964. ISBN 0-15-672248-8.
External links
WikiDoc Research Resources for Photophobia | |
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| Articles on Photophobia | Most recent articles on Photophobia • Most cited articles on Photophobia • Review articles on Photophobia • Articles on Photophobia in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ |
| Media (Slides, Video, Images, MP3) on Photophobia | Powerpoint slides on Photophobia • Images of Photophobia • Photos of Photophobia • Podcasts & MP3s on Photophobia • Videos on Photophobia |
| Evidence Based Medicine Regarding Photophobia | Cochrane Collaboration on Photophobia • Bandolier on Photophobia • TRIP on Photophobia |
| Cost Effectiveness of Photophobia | Cost Effectiveness of Photophobia |
| Clinical Trials Involving Photophobia | Ongoing Trials on Photophobia at Clinical Trials.gov • Trial results on Photophobia • Clinical Trials on Photophobia at Google |
| Guidelines / Policies / Government Resources (FDA/CDC) Regarding Photophobia | US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Photophobia • NICE Guidance on Photophobia • NHS PRODIGY Guidance • FDA on Photophobia • CDC on Photophobia |
| Textbook Information on Photophobia | Books and Textbook Information on Photophobia |
| Pharmacology Resources on Photophobia | Dosing of Photophobia • Drug interactions with Photophobia • Side effects of Photophobia • Allergic reactions to Photophobia • Overdose information on Photophobia • Carcinogenicity information on Photophobia • Photophobia in pregnancy • Pharmacokinetics of Photophobia • |
| Genetics, Pharmacogenomics, and Proteinomics of Photophobia | Genetics of Photophobia • Pharmacogenomics of Photophobia • Proteomics of Photophobia |
| Newstories on Photophobia | Photophobia in the news • Be alerted to news on Photophobia • News trends on Photophobia |
| Commentary on Photophobia | Blogs on Photophobia |
| Patient Resources on Photophobia | Patient resources on Photophobia • Discussion groups on Photophobia • Patient Handouts on Photophobia • Directions to Hospitals Treating Photophobia • Risk calculators and risk factors for Photophobia |
| Healthcare Provider Resources on Photophobia | Symptoms of Photophobia • Causes & Risk Factors for Photophobia • Diagnostic studies for Photophobia • Treatment of Photophobia |
| Continuing Medical Education (CME) Programs on Photophobia | CME Programs on Photophobia |
| International Resources on Photophobia | Photophobia en Espanol • Photophobia en Francais |
| Business Resources on Photophobia | Photophobia in the Marketplace • Patents on Photophobia |
| Informatics Resources on Photophobia | List of terms related to Photophobia |
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Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .

