Light sensitivity is a common symptom of eye problems.

It’s characterised by pain or discomfort when eyes are exposed to light.

If you have light-sensitive eyes you may need to squint or blink when outside or when faced with a bright source of light.

Having eyes sensitive to light may stem from an eye infection, eye injuries and burns, eye diseases, headaches and post-surgery effects.

This can occur at any age, depending on what is causing the problem.

Children can also develop light sensitivity. Eye problems such as conjunctivitis and neurological conditions such as autism can occur in children and cause light sensitivity. If your child is showing signs of light sensitivity, take them to an optometrist for a complete eye test, diagnosis and treatment plan.

Diseases that cause light sensitivity are shingles, glaucoma, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, cataracts, nystagmus, keratoconus, corneal abrasion, iritis, retinitis pigmentosa, blepharospasm, uveitis, dry eye, keratitis and paediatric cataracts.

These eye diseases can develop commonly in a range of different age groups and can occur in mild to severe forms.

Another cause of light sensitivity could be migraines. Migraines differ from headaches and are typically caused by gender, stress, smoking and genetics.

Your optometrist will test your eyes and ask questions about your symptoms and medical history to determine the potential cause and rule out any underlying conditions.

Light sensitivity can last for weeks, months or up to a year depending on what is causing it and its severity.

If the conditions causing light sensitivity go untreated, it may remain or worsen.

Other complications can also develop if eye conditions are left untreated, so it’s important that you see an optometrist for any symptoms you may be experiencing.

Symptoms vary among individuals, some people may feel unsteady or lightheaded, while others experience more severe symptoms like vertigo, nausea, or fatigue.

These symptoms can come from actions like walking, turning the head, or moving the eyes.

Motion sensitivity can also cause concentration difficulties, anxiety, and depression, leading to a decreased quality of life.

Your optometrist can diagnose and manage motion sensitivity.

They assess the function of your eyes and how they work with your balance and spatial orientation with a thorough eye examination. They’ll include tests for visual acuity, eye movement, and binocular vision to identify any abnormalities that may contribute to your symptoms.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms and needs treatments include:

1. Tinted lenses which work by altering the amount of light entering your eyes. This can help manage visual stress and reduce your symptoms.

2. Prism glasses contain a special lens that bends or refracts light, helping to align the two images seen by each eye into a single, clear image. This can significantly improve vision, helping to reduce symptoms of motion sensitivity.

3. Yoked prisms shift the visual field in the same direction for both eyes. This can help individuals with motion sensitivity better understand their spatial environment, reducing symptoms like dizziness and imbalance.

4. Optometric vision therapy helps motion sensitivity by improving how the eyes work together. It uses personalised exercises that enhance visual skills and processing to improve eye coordination, visual perception, and eye movement control, all essential for managing motion sensitivity.

If you are experiencing symptoms of motion sensitivity, light sensitivity or dizziness make an appointment with your optometrist for proper diagnosis and treatment options tailored to your unique needs.