Photophobia: Tips for Diagnosis and Management

Dr. Kathleen Digre offers practical advice on detecting and treating photophobia. She presents a stepwise approach to identifying the cause of photophobia. First, determine if the visual disturbances stem from a central process, such as a pituitary tumor or meningitis. Next, perform a slit-lamp examination to check for irregular anterior chamber cells or signs of inflammation. The patient should then be examined for signs of corneal neuropathy or reflexive blinking. Finally, patients should be questioned about their history of retinal symptoms such as night blindness, or headaches with light sensitivity. Once the underlying cause is identified, treat it appropriately and consult with a neurologist or other specialist when appropriate. Blue-blocking lenses and botulinum toxin have both been shown effective for some forms of photophobia, she notes.

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