Photophobia (Light Sensitivity): Meaning, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Published on March 31st, 2026

Photophobia is an abnormal sensitivity to light that often causes eye pain and the need to squint in bright environments. The causes of photophobia are usually underlying conditions like migraines, headaches, eye strain, and dry eyes. Photophobia can be influenced by blue light and screen exposure, causing eye pain, disrupting the tear film, and leading to eye strain. Contact lenses and contact lens care can cause photophobia through problems like corneal abrasions, infections, or dry eyes. Refractive errors like myopia and astigmatism are related to photophobia as they can cause glare, light scattering, and eye strain. Treatment for photophobia involves specialised tinted lenses, lubricating eye drops, and pain relief medication. Sunglasses and UV protection may help manage photophobia by providing mild relief through reducing light intensity, filtering harmful UV rays, and minimising glare. Lens options to reduce photophobia include specialised tinted lenses, precision tints, polarised lenses, transition lenses, and blue-light lenses. Eye health maintenance can help prevent photophobia by addressing, managing, or avoiding the underlying conditions that cause it.

It is essential to see a doctor or health care professional as soon as your eyes become sensitive to light, so the cause can be diagnosed and treated immediately. Light sensitivity can be a symptom of a serious medical issue.

What is Photophobia or Light Sensitivity?

Photophobia, or light sensitivity, is a condition in which the eyes are abnormally sensitive to light, according to K. B. Digre and KC Brennan's research article titled 'Shedding Light on Photophobia' in 2012. Photophobia is a common condition and can be caused by several light sources, including sunlight, fluorescent light, and incandescent light. It can cause discomfort, squinting, or avoidance of bright environments. It is important to note that photophobia is not a disease, but it can be a symptom of a disease, infection, or inflammation. Photophobia is often linked to other health conditions such as migraines, eye infections or injuries, eye strain, and dry eyes. If you have sudden sensitivity to light, it is important to see a healthcare professional as soon as possible, as this symptom may indicate a serious medical issue.

Woman squinting and touching her temple due to light sensitivity discomfort.

How is Photophobia Defined as the Medical Term for Sensitivity to Light?

Photophobia is medically defined as heightened ocular sensitivity to visible light. It is a sensory state where light triggers discomfort, pain, or an aversion reaction in the eyes or head. The term describes both the symptom and its underlying impact on daily visual comfort.

Is Photophobia Classified as a Visual Sensitivity Condition?

Yes, photophobia is classified as a visual sensitivity condition, usually defined as a symptom of an intolerance to light, not a primary disease itself. It involves abnormal responses of the eyes or nervous system to light exposure.

What Causes Photophobia (Light Sensitivity) in the Eyes?

Photophobia is most commonly caused by migraines, dry eye syndrome, corneal abrasions, eye infections, and eye inflammation (uveitis). Photophobia is a symptom of underlying eye conditions, neurological problems, or medication side effects. Neurological conditions that may cause photophobia include migraines, brain injuries or brain conditions, and blepharospasm. Medications that can increase light sensitivity include antibiotics, diuretics, and other agents like quinine and some chemotherapy drugs. The neurological conditions and medications that can cause photophobia are listed below.

Migraines: Migraines are a very common cause of photophobia. Migraines often coincide with severe headaches.
Brain injuries/conditions: Brain injuries that can cause photophobia include concussion, traumatic brain injury, meningitis, encephalitis, and subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Blepharospasm: Blepharospasm is a neurological condition that causes involuntary blinking and eyelid squeezing and is often associated with photophobia.

Antibiotics: The use of certain antibiotics can cause photophobia as a common side effect.
Diuretics: Diuretics can make the eyes highly sensitive to the sun and therefore cause photophobia as a side effect.
Other agents: Other agents, such as quinine, an anti-malarial medication, and some chemotherapy medications, have direct effects on the eyes and may cause photophobia.

What Eye Conditions Trigger Photophobia Causes?

Photophobia can be triggered by several underlying eye conditions, including corneal abrasions, dry eye syndrome, and corneal ulcers. Photophobia is usually a symptom of an underlying issue, rather than a disease itself. A list of eye conditions that photophobia may be triggered by is written below.

Corneal abrasions: Corneal abrasions are scratches on the surface of the eye. They can cause photophobia because they damage the sensitive cornea, which may lead to photophobia.
Dry eye syndrome: Dry eye syndrome, caused by a lack of eye lubrication, can cause increased light sensitivity.
Corneal ulcers: Corneal ulcers are another primary cause of photophobia. Corneal ulcers are defined as open sores on the eye's surface commonly caused by infection, dry eye, or injury. They can cause pain, redness and severe light sensitivity.
Scleritis: Scleritis, inflammation of the white part of the eye, commonly causes photophobia.
Cataracts: Cataracts are a common eye condition where the eye's lens becomes cloudy and causes light scattering into the retina. Cataracts can cause photophobia because the cloudy lens causes light to scatter, making bright environments significantly uncomfortable.
Uveitis/Iritis: Uveitis describes inflammation of the middle layer of the eye, and iritis (anterior uveitis) describes inflammation of the front part of the eye. Iritis is the most common form of uveitis and is strongly associated with photophobia.
Retinitis/Retinal inflammation: Retinitis or retinal inflammation is the inflammation of the retina, often caused by infection. Retinitis may trigger photophobia due to aggravation of pain receptors and light scattering.
Keratitis (bacterial, viral, or fungal): Keratitis is a major cause of photophobia. The cornea is sensitive and highly receptive to pain, so when it is inflamed or infected, it may lead to photophobia.
Albinism: Albinism can lead to photophobia due to a general lack of melanin in the iris and retina, which hinders the eye's ability to filter light properly.
Meibomian gland dysfunction: Meibomian gland dysfunction can cause photophobia because the eye's tear film oil layer is disturbed, which can lead to dryness and, therefore, sensitivity to light.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma: Acute angle-closure glaucoma can cause photophobia because the eye's pressure is increased, causing eye pain and a fixed, mid-dilated pupil that struggles to constrict in light.
Eye trauma (chemical, mechanical, thermal): Chemical, mechanical, and thermal eye trauma can all increase photophobia due to cornea damage, which causes irritation and eye pain.
Post-surgical eyes (e.g., LASIK, cataract surgery): The eyes are extra sensitive post-surgery due to inflammation and healing.
Foreign body: A foreign body can cause photophobia due to eye damage, which can lead to inflammation and reflex reactions.

1. Corneal Abrasion

Corneal abrasions are either scratches on the surface of the eye or a result of an injury. Corneal abrasions can be caused by dirt, sand or dust entering the eye or even from rubbing your eyes. Symptoms of corneal abrasion can include foreign body sensation in the eye, eye redness, pain, watery eyes, sensitivity to light and blurred vision, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Diagnosing corneal abrasions usually involves the use of fluorescein dye that is placed on the surface of your eye, which will highlight where an injury or scratch has occurred on the cornea. The treatment of corneal abrasions may include flushing out the eye, as well as topical antibiotics, according to the Cleveland Clinic; however, this will depend on the nature and severity of your condition. If you experience any injury to your eye, it is important to seek prompt medical attention to prevent any further injuries.

2. Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eyes can be caused by either a lack of tears produced or when the tears that are secreted evaporate too quickly. Symptoms of dry eyes may include light sensitivity, redness, eye pain or irritation, itchiness, foreign body sensation, excessive tears and blurry vision. Treating dry eyes generally requires prescribed eye drops to increase moisture in the eyes; however, this can depend on the initial cause of symptoms and severity. The optometrist will be able to diagnose your condition through a comprehensive eye test.

3. Corneal Ulcers

Photophobia can emerge as a result of corneal ulcers. A corneal ulcer is defined as an open sore on the cornea, which is the clear dome of the eye that covers the iris, according to Health Direct. Exposure to light in the presence of corneal ulcers can stimulate the exposed corneal nerve endings. This, together with inflammation, can trigger reflex muscle spasms inside the eye, resulting in light sensitivity (photophobia).

Two side-by-side images of a healthy eye and an eye with a corneal ulcer

4. Scleritis

Scleritis refers to an inflammatory condition that affects the sclera, which is the white of the eye, as defined by Melbourne Eye Specialists. The common symptoms of this condition include red eyes, eye pain, and notably pain when exposed to light, which is known as photophobia.

5. Cataracts

Cataracts refer to the clouding of the lens as a result of the proteins in the lens breaking down and clumping together. Cataracts can develop due to natural changes in the lens of the eye when you get older. Risk factors such as exposure to ultraviolet light over a long period, diabetes, smoking, use of corticosteroid medication, eye injuries and previous eye surgery can accelerate the progression of cataracts. Cataracts can cause symptoms such as blurred vision, light and glare sensitivity, double vision, seeing halos around lights and poor night vision. Treating cataracts typically requires surgery if symptoms start to disrupt everyday life. However, in the early stages of cataracts, prescription glasses and better light may help improve vision according to Health Direct. It is strongly recommended that you have your eyes examined by an optometrist to determine the most appropriate treatment plan according to the stage of your condition.

6. Uveitis/Iritis

Uveitis is defined as inflammation that occurs inside the eye. Uveitis is commonly caused by autoimmune responses or infection, but in some cases, the cause is unknown. Uveitis implicates the region of the eye known as the uvea, which can be found between the sclera and the retina. The types of uveitis are anterior uveitis, intermediate uveitis, posterior uveitis and panuveitis, which affect different regions of the eye. Possible causes of uveitis can include autoimmune diseases such as Lupus, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms of uveitis may include light sensitivity, blurry vision, floaters, eye pain and red eyes. It is important to see an optometrist if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, as uveitis can lead to loss of vision when left untreated. Treatment may require prescribed eye drops, oral medication and injections. Iritis is characterised as inflammation of the iris, which is the coloured part of the eye. Iritis can bring on light sensitivity, eye pain, blurred vision and redness. Causes of iritis are not well established; however, it may be linked to inflammatory conditions, trauma or genetics according to the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. Treatment may include steroid eye drops to alleviate the inflammation or dilating eye drops to aid with pain and discomfort.

Two side-by-side images of a healthy eye and an eye with iritis

7. Retinitis/Retinal inflammation

Retinal inflammation is an eye condition referring to the dysfunction and inflammation of the retina. It may be caused by an autoimmune disorder, eye infection or trauma. When the retina is inflamed or damaged, the photoreceptor cells can become hypersensitive to visual stimuli. This causes the eye to lose its natural ability to regulate light intensity, leading to a state of constant over-stimulation. As a result, the brain perceives standard ambient brightness as physically painful or overwhelming. Symptoms of retinal inflammation include blurry vision, light sensitivity (photophobia) and eye floaters.

8. Keratitis

Keratitis, also known as corneal infection or corneal inflammation, is caused by an infection or an injury to the eye. Keratitis may present symptoms such as light sensitivity, blurry vision, eye pain, redness and excessive tears and can either be infectious or non-infectious. The causes of keratitis can potentially stem from viruses, eye injury, fungal infections, contaminated water, bacterial infections and parasitic infections. Sensitivity to light may be a common symptom of keratitis and certain other eye conditions, as the cornea is considered to be a significantly sensitive tissue and is highly receptive to pain, according to the Centre for Sight. Treating keratitis may involve eye drops, depending on the initial cause of symptoms, as the condition may require antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal or anti-inflammatory eye drops.

9. Albinism

Albinism is the name of a genetic condition where the body makes a minimal amount of melanin, according to the Mayo Clinic. Because the iris does not get enough pigment for Albino people, this allows for excess light to shine through the irises and, as a result, makes them sensitive to bright settings.

10. Meibomian gland dysfunction

Meibomian gland dysfunction occurs when the meibomian glands become blocked and cannot produce enough oil, which can make the eyes dry and highly susceptible to light sensitivity. Light scattering and inflammation are also symptoms of this condition that can lead to photophobia.

11. Acute angle-closure glaucoma

Acute angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency caused by a blockage of eye fluid drainage, which leads to increased eye pressure. Increased eye pressure can cause photophobia, causing eye pain and a 'fixed, semi-dilated pupil' that struggles to constrict in light, according to A. Petsas's research paper titled 'Acute angle closure glaucoma – A potential blind spot in critical care' published in 2017. If you experience sudden, intense eye pain or vision loss, seek emergency medical care at a hospital immediately.

12. Eye trauma (chemical, mechanical, thermal)

Chemical, mechanical, and thermal eye trauma can cause photophobia symptoms due to cornea damage, inflammation, and sensitivities in the eyes. Chemical trauma to the eyes can result in cornea damage, inflammation, irritation, and sometimes permanent damage that can all result in photophobia symptoms. Mechanical trauma, such as corneal abrasions, can lead to iritis/uveitis and exposed nerve endings, both of which can trigger photophobia. Finally, thermal injuries to the eyes from heat can cause cell death and inflammation, putting a patient at risk of developing photophobia symptoms.

13. Post-surgical eyes (e.g., LASIK, cataract surgery)

Post-surgical eyes, including patients recovering from surgeries like LASIK or cataract surgery, can experience photophobia due to increased light sensitivity during the healing period. Surgical changes to the eye can temporarily alter how light enters and is processed, sometimes allowing more light to enter. Additionally, eye surgery can disrupt the tear film, leading to dryness and irritation, according to N. Ishiguro's research paper titled 'Correlation between higher-order aberration and photophobia after cataract surgery' published in 2022. These symptoms are common and usually resolve as the eye heals.

14. Foreign body

Foreign bodies 'can range from superficial to embedded objects on the corneal surface' and may lead to symptoms such as photophobia, pain, tearing, and blurred vision, according to A. J. Camodeca and E. P. Anderson's research paper titled 'Corneal Foreign Body' published in 2019.

Can Multiple Medical Conditions Be Associated With Photophobia?

Yes, photophobia can be associated with multiple ocular, neurological, and psychological conditions. Among these categories, photophobia is commonly linked to over 50 different conditions. Common conditions associated with photophobia include migraine disorders, meningitis, dry eye disease, ocular infections, eye injuries, and neurological conditions. Certain medications can also exacerbate light sensitivity.

What are the Symptoms of Photophobia (Light Sensitivity)?

The most common symptoms of photophobia include excessive squinting, eye pain, headaches, eye irritation, and vision issues. Read more about these symptoms of photophobia below.

Excessive squinting: Excessive squinting, blinking, or closing the eyes as a reaction to normal and bright light.
Eye pain: Eye pain and discomfort are common in photophobia symptoms, along with aching and burning.
Headaches: Headaches and migraines are both symptoms of photophobia, sometimes coinciding with nausea and dizziness.
Eye irritation: Eye irritation is common in patients with photophobia, often accompanied by watery eyes, redness, and dryness.
Vision issues: Vision issues are a common symptom in photophobia, with problems like temporary blurred vision or cloudy vision.

How do Photophobia Symptoms Appear During Everyday Activities?

Photophobia can significantly affect everyday activities. Symptoms of photophobia often appear outdoors in sunlight or under bright artificial lighting, which may lead patients to avoid light sources, wear protective eyewear, or need to wear sunglasses indoors.

Can Photophobia Symptoms Affect Comfort in Bright Environments?

Yes, photophobia symptoms can significantly reduce comfort in bright environments. Exposure to bright environments can cause eye pain, squinting, and the need to retreat from light.

How is Photophobia Diagnosed and Treated for Light Sensitive Eyes?

Photophobia diagnosis is based on medical history, eye examination, and sometimes neurological evaluation, and treatment addresses the underlying causes of the condition. The optometrist may also ask questions about your symptoms and medical history to determine the potential cause and rule out any underlying conditions. Underlying causes of photophobia include migraines, dry eye syndrome, and infections. Treatment provides symptomatic relief through the use of methods like medicated eye drops or artificial tears, and polarised or tinted sunglasses. Light sensitivity that is associated with certain eye conditions, such as cataracts, may require surgery to treat the underlying cause.

What Treatment Helps Manage Photophobia and Light Sensitivity?

Photophobia can be effectively managed with CGRP inhibitors (specific to patients with migraines), artificial tears, FL-41 lenses, polarised sunglasses, blue light filters, dimmer lighting, and screen optimisation. Proper eye care may also improve tolerance to light. The list of treatments to help manage photophobia is below.

CGRP Inhibitors: CGRP Inhibitors are medications prescribed by a GP or neurologist that manage migraine symptoms and can help reduce photophobia.
Artificial tears: Artificial tears are eye drops that can increase lubrication in the eyes and therefore improve photophobia discomfort.
FL-41 Lenses: FL-41 lenses are tinted lenses designed to filter blue light, which can play a role in photophobia relating to headaches. Oscar Wylee does not sell FL-41 lenses.
Polarised sunglasses: Polarised sunglasses can improve visual comfort in outdoor environments.
Blue light filters: Blue light filters can improve visual comfort and tolerance to digital screens that can cause photophobia symptoms.
Dimmer lighting: Dimmer light switches may help improve photophobia symptoms for patients.
Screen Optimisation: Reducing brightness on screens such as laptops, tablets, and phones can help improve visual comfort for photophobia patients.

Can Eye Drops Get Rid of Light Sensitivity?

Eye drops can manage photophobia, but they are not a cure for the condition. Artificial tears are lubricating eye drops that can ease irritation caused by photophobia. There are also prescription eye drops available that may contain steroid or antibiotic ingredients that can treat eye infections and inflammation. Prescription-based eye drops can only be prescribed on indication.

How can Sunglasses and UV Protection Help Manage Photophobia?

Sunglasses and UV protection may help manage photophobia symptoms by reducing light intensity reaching the eyes and blocking harmful UV rays that may cause eye pain, eye strain, and headaches. Sunglasses and UV protection may minimise discomfort in patients by preventing light-induced symptoms. They minimise glare in outdoor environments and protect the eyes from long-term damage.

What Role do Polarised Glasses Play in Reducing Light Sensitivity?

Polarised glasses filter glare and scattered light and may help reduce eye strain. They can improve visual comfort in bright or reflective environments. Polarised glasses work by using a specialised filter that selectively blocks horizontally polarised light and therefore reduces the intensity of glare.

Can Protective Eyewear Reduce Exposure to Intense Light?

Yes, protective eyewear limits exposure to intense or harmful light sources, which helps prevent photophobia symptoms and protects sensitive eyes. Specialised eyewear, including sunglasses, safety glasses, and goggles, protects the eyes against harmful UV light and improves glare symptoms associated with photophobia.

How do Blue Light and Screen Exposure Influence Photophobia?

Blue light from screens can exacerbate photophobia by increasing eye strain and glare. Prolonged exposure to blue light emitted from digital devices may trigger discomfort in patients with existing photophobia. Some studies suggest that blue light exposure provokes photochemical reactions in most eye tissues, in particular the cornea, lens, and retina, according to A. Cougnard-Gregoire's research paper titled 'Blue Light Exposure: Ocular Hazards and Prevention–A Narrative Review' published in 2023. This research advises those with light sensitivity to 'limit time of exposure to blue light' (A. Cougnard-Gregoire, 2023). Blue light glasses can help with photophobia from screens, but will not eliminate light sensitivity altogether.

What Effects Can Blue Light Have on Light Sensitive Eyes?

Blue light can cause dryness, digital eye strain, blurred vision, irritation, headaches, and fatigue in people with light sensitive eyes. Blue light can be a major trigger for people with photophobia. Blue light wavelengths can make headache pain worse and cause throbbing. Blue light from screens can also make preexisting symptoms worse, such as dry and strained eyes. It can also cause temporary blurry vision, and eye fatigue can make it harder for the eyes to focus. To help combat this, it is important to have screen time limits, and if this is not possible, then practise the 20-20-20 rule. For every 20 minutes you spend looking at a screen, you look at something 20 feet away in the distance for at least 20 seconds.

How do Refractive Errors Like Myopia and Astigmatism Relate to Photophobia?

Refractive errors like myopia and astigmatism relate to photophobia because often, the eyes have to work harder to properly focus, which can lead to eye fatigue and light scattering, leading to glare. Blurred or distorted vision may also make the eyes more reactive to light exposure. Myopia, also known as nearsightedness or shortsightedness, is a condition in which the eye struggles to focus on objects at a far distance. Myopia symptoms can include eye strain and pseudomyopia. Eye strain usually refers to untreated myopia, where the eye is squinting in order to see clearly, leading to eye fatigue and increased light sensitivity. Pseudomyopia is when an eye muscle is overstimulated, which can cause temporary myopia and possibly photophobia. Astigmatism is a common refractive error where one or more of the eye's surfaces are not smooth or round, disrupting visual abilities and causing symptoms such as photophobia. Astigmatism can lead to light scattering, which can create glare and make your eyes more sensitive to light.

What Lens Options Can Help Reduce Photophobia Symptoms?

Lens options that can help reduce photophobia symptoms include FL-41 tinted lenses, Avulux migraine and light sensitivity glasses, polarised sunglasses, photochromic lenses, blue light glasses, and scleral contact lenses.

FL-41 tinted lenses: FL-41 tinted lenses are specialised lenses that block 480nm wavelengths and can reduce photophobia symptom severity, according to N. Reye's research paper titled 'FL-41 Tint Reduces Activation of Neural Pathways of Photophobia in Patients with Chronic Ocular Pain' with 28 participants in 2024.
Avulux migraine and light sensitivity glasses: Avulux migraine and light sensitivity glasses can help reduce photophobia symptoms because they help to filter out harmful blue, amber, and red wavelengths.
Polarised sunglasses: Polarised sunglasses can reduce glare, improve contrast, reduce eye strain and eye fatigue, protect from harmful UV rays, and support those with photophobia, according to Envision Optical.
Photochromic lenses: Photochromic sunglasses, or transition lenses, can help reduce photophobia symptoms because they darken in sunlight and can provide protection against glare and light sensitivity outdoors.
Blue light glasses: Blue light glasses help to block blue light rays emitted from digital screens and artificial lights, and can be effective for reducing eye strain, glare, and photophobia symptoms.
Scleral contact lenses: Scleral contact lenses work by keeping the eye hydrated, shielding sensitive corneal nerves, and providing a smoother optical surface to limit light scattering into the eye, which may reduce eye discomfort and other photophobia symptoms. Oscar Wylee does not sell contact lenses.

How do Photochromic Lenses and Polarised Lenses Help Manage Light Sensitivity?

Photochromic lenses and polarised lenses can help manage light sensitivity because photochromic lenses darken in bright light, and polarised lenses reduce glare. Photochromic lenses, or transition lenses, automatically adjust when exposed to UV light, which can be useful for those experiencing photophobia, as it limits pain and squinting associated with the condition. They also provide UV protection, which is important for everyone. Polarised lenses can help reduce photophobia symptoms because they reduce glare using a special filter, improve visual comfort, and are ideal for bright environmental conditions. Both photochromic lenses and polarised lenses can improve comfort and prevent light-induced eye strain.

Image showing how photochromic lenses work on man

How can Contact Lenses and Contact Lens Care Affect Light Sensitivity?

Contact lenses and contact lens care affect light sensitivity because properly fitted lenses and hygiene can reduce irritation that can trigger photophobia, and poor lens care may worsen eye sensitivity to light. If you are overwearing your contact lenses or not cleaning them properly, this may lead to infections associated with photophobia symptoms. In the case of a torn contact lens, the cornea could be irritated or scratched, which can cause eye pain and sensitivity to light. It is also important to keep your contact lens case clean, as this can also lead to infection. It is important to practice contact lens care recommended by your optometrist, and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays that may further irritate your eyes.

What Role do Contact Lens Solutions Play in Eye Comfort?

Contact lens solutions can improve eye comfort for patients with photophobia because they maintain moisture and reduce dryness that contributes to light sensitivity. The use of suitable contact lens solutions can improve tolerance to bright environments, easing eye pain and discomfort. It is important to note that contact lens solutions are simply a management tool for photophobia patients, as there are many other causes for the condition that they may not be able to improve. Oscar Wylee does not sell contact lens solutions.

How does Eye Health Maintenance Help Prevent Photophobia?

Eye health maintenance, including regular eye care, hydration, and protection from UV light, may help prevent irritation and photophobia. It is also important to try to manage underlying conditions that can lead to photophobia, such as dry eye syndrome and inflammation. The main ways to prevent the development of photophobia include treating dry eye syndrome, preventing injuries and infections, receiving regular eye tests, reducing digital screen usage, and protecting eyes from the sun with sunglasses. Remember that healthy eyes are often less prone to light sensitivity triggers, and it is always better to reduce the possibility of developing photophobia in the first place.

What Eye Care Practices Help Protect Eyes From UV Light and Irritation?

Eye care practices to help protect your eyes from UV light and irritation include polarised sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, lubricating eye drops, limiting eye rubbing, and receiving regular eye tests. These practices are listed below.

Polarised sunglasses: Polarised sunglasses are crucial in protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays. Opt for UV-400-rated sunglasses, which provide very high protection, to keep your eyes safe and healthy and reduce irritation. Wraparound styles are great for extra protection.
Wide-brimmed hats: Wide-brimmed hats help to keep the sun off your eyes and reduce the risk of photophobia.
Lubricating eye drops: Lubricating eye drops can help to soothe dry eyes caused by the external environment.
Avoid Rubbing: Avoid rubbing your eyes as this can make irritation worse and possibly cause infection.
Regular Eye Tests: Regular eye tests are essential in maintaining your eye health. It is recommended to receive an eye test at least once every two years, or as advised by your optometrist or medical practitioner.

It is important to note that Oscar Wylee offers optometry services only; this article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.