PHOTOPHOBIA

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LIGHT - FACE - increased sensitivity of the eye to light, usually associated with irritation of the endings of the trigeminal nerve, embedded in the tissues of the anterior part of the eye - conjunctiva, cornea, iris, ciliary body. As a result, photophobia is a characteristic clinical sign of various pathological processes localized in the anterior part of the eye (conjunctivitis, keratitis, iridocyclitis, etc.). It is especially pronounced in the spring catarrh, allergic keratoconjunctivitis of tuberculosis, foreign bodies and corneal erosions. Photophobia is often accompanied by painful eyeballs, lacrimation and blepharospasm.

Photophobia can be associated with irritation of the optic-neural elements of the retina (retinal photophobia), which is observed when the eye is irritated by bright light (for example, when looking at the sun) or overly bright artificial illumination. Retinal photophobia easily occurs with mydriasis, complete or partial absence of the iris, albinism, with complete color blindness. It can be observed in certain brain diseases, for example, an abscess of the frontal lobe.

Treatment is aimed at the underlying disease. In order to reduce photophobia, use protective goggles with different types of light filters.