Nutritional deficiencies, especially in lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin A may also cause light sensitivity. The best foods to help with light sensitivity are dark leafy green vegetables, nuts, and foods rich in lutein and beta-carotene.
Sensitivity to light can be caused simply by eye strain or dry eyes, or by issues like eye infections, eye injuries, or problems with the structure of the eye. People with a lighter eye color are more likely to have light sensitivity because darker-colored eyes contain more pigment to protect against harsh lighting.
Supplement with nutrients that have been found to be helpful for light sensitivity. Research shows that people with higher macular pigment levels tolerate light better. Carotenoids such as meso-zeaxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin help to improve macular pigment density.
Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) deficiency is one of the main reasons for photophobia. Photophobia is caused by the deficiency of both B2 (Riboflavin) and B12.
Disturbed or blurred vision can also occur as a result of a Vitamin B12 deficiency. This happens when the deficiency causes damage to the optic nerve that leads to your eyes. The nervous signal that travels from the eye to the brain is disturbed due to this damage, leading to impaired vision.
Dry eyes could be a sign of vitamin D deficiency. When the eyes become dry as a result of low vitamin D levels, it may also become more difficult to produce tears. The eyes might feel gritty, sore or itchy and vision could become blurred. The eyes may also be more sensitive to light than normal.
As a result, those with lupus often times experience symptoms of inflammation, swelling and damage to the joints and other organ systems—many of which can be brought on by light. And some even experience symptoms of photophobia or sensitivity to light, among other eye-related symptoms.
Bring in as much natural light as you can, which is usually less problematic for people with photophobia. Install dimmers to control indoor lighting. Adjust the settings on your TV, computer, phone and other devices to more comfortable hues and brightness levels. Do NOT wear sunglasses indoors.
Light sensitivity (photophobia) is an intolerance to light that causes discomfort or pain. Any bright light source, such as sunlight or artificial light, may cause discomfort. Light sensitivity may be a symptom of certain eye conditions or due to a migraine or a bacterial infection such as meningitis.
Since there are so many overlapping symptoms of the conditions that can cause light sensitivity, visiting an eye doctor is the only way to know what is causing your light sensitivity.
A magnesium deficiency can cause photophobia, and such deficiency is common in ME/CFS. This can be resolved with appropriate magnesium supplementation.
Rheumatoid arthritis and Lupus are two of the major autoimmune diseases that can affect the sclera. If not addressed, it can lead to vision loss, so it is important to get it checked out. The cornea is another area of the eye that can become inflamed. This is called Keratitis and may cause a corneal ulcer.
If you have lupus, you might be photosensitive -- meaning you have an unusually strong reaction to sunlight. In fact, about two-thirds of the people with lupus are UV light-sensitive.
"Most patients with vitamin D deficiency are asymptomatic, however if you're exhausted, your bones hurt, you have muscle weakness or mood changes, that's an indication that something may be abnormal with your body," says Dr. Lacey. Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency may include: Fatigue. Not sleeping well.
When vitamin D levels are low and the body isn't able to properly absorb calcium and phosphorus, there is an increased risk of bone pain, bone fractures, muscle pain and muscle weakness. In older adults, severe vitamin D deficiency (levels less than 10 ng/mL) may also contribute to an increased risk of falls.
Low B12 stores over the long term can lead to vision changes and damage your vision. Retinal damage can be results of the blood vessels in the eye are blocked. As a result, you may experience light sensitivity, blurred or double vision, tracers or shadows, which all result from damage to the optic nerve.
A vitamin B12 deficiency can cause megaloblastic anemia. Megaloblasts are immature red blood cells that are larger than normal. They usually have an odd shape, too. When you have anemia, your red blood cells have trouble getting oxygen to your tissues and organs.
How to raise your B12 levels fast. The most common way to treat B12 deficiencies is by adjusting your diet. If this is unsuccessful, vitamin supplements may be recommended. If you're looking to boost the amount of vitamin B12 in your diet, you should eat more animal products, like meat, seafood, dairy and eggs.
Several commercially available test kits allow you to collect a sample for vitamin B12 testing at home. Some kits test only your vitamin B12 level. Others test B12 in combination with other vitamins, and there are at-home micronutrient test kits that include B12 in the panel.