Runny nose, stomach pain, itchy rash - all this bothered every child at least once. But what if something more serious happens: the child’s temperature rises sharply, or neck muscle stiffness occurs. Should I call an ambulance, call a doctor from the clinic, or just wait?
If the child is sick or looks weak, the parents contact their local doctor. But what to do if the temperature rises in the evening? Not all parents decide to call an ambulance in case the alarm turns out to be a false one. However, when it comes to the health of the child, it is better to be safe.
Here are some symptoms that are a reason to urgently consult a doctor. These symptoms apply to children older than one year. When urgent medical care is needed for infants, see the article “Six Dangerous Symptoms in Infants” and the slide show “Symptoms of Illness in Young Children.” But there is one general rule: in all cases of doubt, you need to consult a specialist.
High fever in children over one year of age
When a child has a fever, the first thing that comes to mind for many parents is to rush to the doctor. However, pediatricians recommend looking not at the thermometer, but at how the child looks and behaves, as well as what symptoms he has.
An increase in temperature is the body's self-defense against infection. If a child has a fever, this means that his immune system is working. Normal body temperature, as is known, is on average 36.6˚C. Rectal temperature (in the rectum) is approximately a degree higher than the temperature measured in the armpit. That is, the temperature measured rectally is considered elevated if it exceeds 38˚C.
You can reduce the temperature with medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (if the child is older than 6 months). But only if it is really necessary. Be sure to follow the dosage prescribed by the doctor or indicated in the instructions for use of the medicine. It must be remembered that antipyretics do not fight the infection in any way, but only reduce the temperature.
Surveys show that in every fourth case, parents give their children antipyretics at temperatures below 38˚C, but many pediatricians do not recommend resorting to these medications until the temperature rises to 38.5˚C. If the child looks healthy, eats and drinks, you can refrain from calling an ambulance. High fever itself does not require urgent treatment.
In most cases, fever in children is not an emergency, and in such situations it is quite possible to wait until the morning and the opening of the clinic. Urgent medical care for a child over two years old is necessary if the temperature rises to 40˚C, and also if the high temperature is accompanied by lethargy and deterioration in health or lasts more than four days in a row. For children under two years of age, a doctor should be called if the fever lasts more than 2 days.
Strong headache
Over-the-counter painkillers can relieve mild to moderate headaches, but they will not relieve severe pain.
If the headache lasts several hours and is so severe that it prevents the child from eating, playing, or doing everyday activities, you need to call a pediatrician. In this case, immediate medical examination is necessary.
Most often, headaches are caused by tension in the head muscles. But if it is accompanied by neurological symptoms (confusion, blurred vision, walking problems), as well as vomiting, it is necessary to call an ambulance. These symptoms may be signs of serious illness.
Rash all over the body
A rash on a child's arms or legs should not worry parents too much. However, if it covers the entire body, you need to consult a specialist.
If, when you press on a red rash, it turns pale and then turns red again, then there is usually nothing to worry about. This is how viral and allergic rashes behave, including urticaria.
A rash that does not blanche when pressed may be a sign of an emergency, meningitis, or sepsis, especially if accompanied by a fever. A similar rash can also appear on the face after severe bouts of coughing or vomiting, but this is not dangerous.
And yet, if a child develops a rash in the form of red or purple spots that do not fade when pressed, it is better to play it safe and urgently call a doctor to rule out serious illnesses.
Another emergency condition is urticaria, accompanied by swelling of the lips. If urticaria appears, the child should be given diphenhydramine. If your child's lips or face swell, you should call a doctor. And if there is difficulty breathing, you should call 03: this is a sign of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction.
Acute indigestion
If your child has food poisoning or gastroenteritis (commonly called "stomach flu" even though it has nothing in common with the flu), you need to monitor how often your child vomits and has diarrhea (diarrhea).
Vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration. For mild dehydration, your doctor may recommend taking an electrolyte solution at home. However, treatment largely depends on the age of the child. If the patient's condition worsens (he produces little urine, he looks lethargic), you should consult a doctor.
Vomiting three times in a day cannot lead to dehydration, but eight bouts of diarrhea in eight hours can, as does a combination of vomiting and diarrhea. Children with dehydration should be closely monitored as they may require immediate hospitalization.
If a child loses fluid through frequent bowel movements and is unable to keep it down due to vomiting, he or she may need IV fluids or antiemetic medications. The younger the child, the greater the risk of dehydration.
Neck stiffness
A stiff neck can be a sign of meningitis, a serious medical emergency. That's why parents panic when their child can't look left or right. However, most often it is caused by soreness of the neck muscles, which can even occur due to an uncomfortable sleeping position.
With meningitis, stiff neck muscles are accompanied by high fever, photophobia and headache. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the entire set of symptoms.
Stiffness of the neck muscles, accompanied by a high temperature, occurs not only with meningitis, but also with tonsillitis, a much less dangerous disease. But to determine what the child is sick with, you need to call a pediatrician. Of course, if neck pain is a consequence of an injury, this is a good reason for urgent hospitalization.
Photophobia (photophobia) is considered a normal physiological phenomenon with a sharp change in illumination, however, there are many conditions that are far from normal and are accompanied by photophobia. Photophobia is a symptom in which bright light causes headaches, eye pain, blepharospasm, and lacrimation.
The reasons for this symptom are very diverse.
Among them are ophthalmological pathologies:
keratoconjunctivitis,
iritis,
glaucoma,
keratitis,
eye injuries and burns,
iridocyclitis,
retinal detachment and degeneration,
uveitis,
corneal ulcer,
long-term exposure to computer eyes,
eye fatigue,
dry eyes.
As well as neurological conditions:
migraine,
hemorrhagic stroke,
neoplasms in the brain,
inflammatory processes in the brain,
neuralgia,
brain injuries.
And infectious genesis:
botulism,
rabies,
meningitis,
herpevirus,
encephalitis, etc.
Also, photophobia is often combined with the following symptoms: headache and eye pain, nausea, vomiting, hyperthermia, lacrimation.
Eye pain, photophobia.
Photophobia with discomfort in the eyes usually appears with ophthalmological diseases:
Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye,
inflammation of the inner layers of the eye,
purulent inflammation of the eyes,
burns and eye injuries,
corneal ulcer and others.
In most cases, it is accompanied by lacrimation and blepharospasm.
Most often, this combination is characteristic of conjunctivitis and some childhood infectious diseases.
Headache and photophobia in a child.
Photophobia in combination with headache appears when:
Migraine,
diseases of neurological origin,
inflammation of the meninges,
inflammation of the brain,
hemorrhagic stroke.
Photophobia combined with high fever.
Hyperthermia in tandem with photophobia is typical for inflammatory diseases. Such as:
encephalitis,
meningitis,
blepharitis,
brain abscess.
Nausea and vomiting occurring simultaneously with photophobia They say, most likely, about purulent-inflammatory processes in the brain.
Watery eyes and photophobia may be symptoms of herpes infection, ARVI, keratoconjunctivitis, neuralgia, infectious diseases.
The most common causes of photophobia in children are:
conjunctivitis,
snow ophthalmia,
lack of melanin,
optic nerve palsy,
hyperthyroidism.
A differential analysis of the causes of photophobia in a child will be carried out by a local pediatrician with the following types of examination:
ophthalmoscopy (performed by an ophthalmologist),
analysis for thyroid-stimulating hormone + ultrasound of the thyroid gland,
encephalogram (for the presence of brain pathology),
dopplerography of cerebral vessels,
spinal puncture (to identify inflammatory diseases of the brain).
Anamnesis is also carefully collected and, in collaboration with specialists, a definite diagnosis is made and therapy is recommended.
Treatment of photophobia.
Based on the causes of the pathology that led to the development of photophobia, appropriate treatment is prescribed. For pathological conditions of the eyes, these will be drops and ointments, as well as, if necessary, dosage forms of systemic action. Therapy for thyroid pathology will include complex treatment with the use of hormones. Inflammatory diseases are treated with antibacterial drugs.
Treatment of photophobia clearly cannot occur without medical supervision. There are a lot of very dangerous diseases for children’s health, which are sometimes difficult even for a doctor to recognize.
How many have heard of such an unpleasant disease as photophobia of the eyes? The reasons for it can be very diverse. In this article we will try to understand what this disease is, what its causes are, and how to deal with it.
Photophobia: what kind of disease is it?
What is photophobia of the eyes? The causes, treatment, prevention, myths and reality of this disease are all described below.
Photophobia or, as people call it, “photophobia” is a painful perception of light by the eyes. Light rays entering the eyes cause cutting and rather unpleasant sensations in people suffering from this disease.
We know that our eyes require a certain level of light. If it does not correspond to the normal indicator, and as a result of this unpleasant visual sensations arise, then this is a completely predictable reaction of the eyes, and in no case photophobia. The presence of a disease can be suspected if the level of illumination is normal, and at the same time there are complaints of increased sensitivity of the eyes to light and its intolerance.
What is photophobia of the eyes? You will learn further about the causes of this disease.
Causes of photophobia
In order to study and identify the causes that cause the development of photophobia, you need to understand that photophobia is a symptom of another disease. In other words, you need to find the original source disease that caused the development of photophobia.
What can cause photophobia of the eyes? The causes of this disease are very diverse. There are cases in which doctors diagnose the appearance of photophobia due to the presence of ophthalmological diseases, for example, conjunctivitis or keratitis. Also, the disease may be caused by a congenital feature when there is no melanin pigment, which is responsible for color. Previous colds or unfavorable environmental conditions can also trigger the development of this disease. There are situations when taking certain medications affects the eyes’ perception of light and the development of photophobia. Recently, cases of the development of photophobia due to prolonged work at the computer have become more frequent. This negatively affects the condition of the eyes, accompanied by visual stress and drying out of the mucous membrane. In extremely rare cases, you may develop photophobia due to depression, fatigue, or neurological conditions such as migraines.
What symptoms accompany photophobia?
Sunlight or bright artificial lighting can cause great discomfort in a patient with photophobia, and even real agony. At the same time, he will squint or try to close his eyes completely. The patient may experience lacrimation and such symptoms of photophobia are most often observed with conjunctivitis and ophthalmic herpes. Photophobia can also be accompanied by headaches, fever, and even vomiting. The development of these symptoms may be preceded by meningitis, migraine or stroke.
People with dark eyes have less light sensitivity because they have more pigment that protects them from bright light.
Different patients may have partial or complete intolerance to high light levels.
Photophobia of the eyes: causes in children
Photophobia in children can develop due to low or absent melanin, which is a congenital disease.
Photophobia can often appear during colds and viral diseases. With allergic or viral conjunctivitis, this also provokes a negative reaction to bright light.
A rather serious childhood disease called acrodynia, accompanied by high blood pressure, loss of appetite, pink and sticky hands and feet, also provokes the development of a fear of light.
With motor nerve paralysis, children also develop photophobia, since the pupil does not have time to adapt to changes in light.
If the endocrine system is disrupted, the child may also complain of blurred vision, poor light perception and discomfort in the eye area.
If photophobia appears in a child, you should not panic; most often this is a sign of minor disorders in the body. But it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor in order to prevent the development of more serious diseases in time.
Diagnosis and treatment
What is photophobia of the eyes? We have already found out the causes of this disease. Now let's talk about its diagnosis and treatment. People who complain of photophobia should go to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment. As a rule, diagnosis of this disease is carried out by two specialists: an ophthalmologist and a neurologist. They will prescribe the necessary studies, which include an ophthalmoscopy examination, corneal scraping, cerebrospinal fluid studies, MRI or CT scan of the brain, EEG, ultrasound of the thyroid gland, and chest radiography. After all the necessary examinations, you will be prescribed medical treatment. It is very important to exclude self-medication and entrust your health to professionals.
How to eliminate a disease such as photophobia of the eyes? The causes and treatment are presented to your attention in the article. The essence of treatment for photophobia is to eliminate the underlying disease that led to the development of photophobia. As soon as you manage to get rid of this cause, the unpleasant reaction to light will go away on its own. If photophobia is caused by taking certain medications, then the doctor will select an analogue for you that will not provoke such a reaction to light. If photophobia is congenital or related to environmental factors, you may be advised to wear contact lenses that minimize negative reactions to light. For photophobia provoked by viral or infectious diseases, the doctor will most likely prescribe antibacterial therapy. We can include both medications in the form of eye drops, tablets and injections. During treatment, wearing glasses with tinted lenses can significantly alleviate the symptoms of photophobia.
Now we know how to eliminate photophobia of the eyes. The causes that need to be treated first must be diagnosed in time. Do not delay going to the doctor, as this is fraught with consequences.
Myths and reality
There are different opinions about photophobia, which are not always true. For example, it is believed that photophobia will inevitably lead to blindness. But this is just a myth. Photophobia causes a negative reaction to light and even a decrease in visual acuity, but this does not cause blindness.
It is also believed that photophobia does not necessarily develop with albinism. In reality, such people mainly suffer from the eyes, and the development of photophobia is inevitable. But sunglasses come to the rescue, which will make it easier to react to light.
Prevention of photophobia
To prevent this disease, it is recommended to spend more time in the fresh air. This will help strengthen the body and give the organ of vision a rest. When working at a computer, you should take breaks and not strain your eyes for a long time. You can also include additional eye care in your daily duties: lotions, drops. In bright daylight, you can wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from ultraviolet light.
To summarize, it can be noted that maintaining a healthy lifestyle and caring for the body are the main preventive measures for photophobia.
Now you know what photophobia of the eyes is. The causes, treatment, and prevention of the disease were described in the article. Take responsibility for your health. Avoid complications. Be healthy!
Discomfort from light is normal when moving from a dark room to a brightly lit street. This is due to the insufficiently fast constriction reflex of the pupils of the eyes. Usually after a minute the pupils adjust, and the light sensitivity of the eyes returns to normal. Pathological photophobia in adults and children is characterized by a constant discomfort from even dim light.
Photophobia and other symptoms
It is often accompanied by other symptoms indicating the causes of the pathology.
Photophobia and discomfort or pain in the eyes:
- burns and other eye injuries;
- inflammation of the sclera, conjunctiva, inner membranes of the eyes;
- ulcerative changes in the cornea.
The most common case in children is conjunctivitis. Also, the diseases are usually accompanied by lacrimation and reflex closure of the eyelids.
Photophobia and headache:
- inflammation of the membranes and tissues of the brain;
- various neuralgia;
- long-term, high voltage;
- migraine;
- hemorrhagic stroke
- Photophobia and fever:
- brain abscess - accumulation of pus in the brain tissue as a result of any disease;
- encephalitis - inflammation of brain tissue, transmitted by ticks;
- blepharitis – inflammation of the eyelids of an infectious nature;
- meningitis is a group of diseases characterized by inflammation of the membranes of the brain or spinal cord.
Photophobia and vomiting or nausea:
- migraine;
- meningitis;
- brain abscess;
- meningoencephalitis.
Photophobia and lacrimation:
- neuralgic diseases;
- ARVI and influenza;
- ocular herpes;
- rabies;
- keratoconjunctivitis.
Diagnostics
If you have photophobia, you should make an appointment with a neurologist and ophthalmologist. If your child has photophobia, you can first go to the pediatrician, he will refer you to the right doctor. The ophthalmologist will perform an ophthalmoscopy, check the fundus of the eye, and may need to scrape the cornea. The neurologist will prescribe an MRI, EEG, and may need a CT scan. If tuberculosis is suspected, a chest x-ray is prescribed.
Development mechanism
Photophobia has several development mechanisms. The first mechanism is associated with pathologies in the autonomic nervous system, because of this the pupil does not react to too bright light. More often, the causes of this disorder are hidden in a viral attack. The neuralgic mechanism is associated with pathology of the brain or trigeminal nerve, the causes of which are meningitis, encephalitis, migraines and other diseases.
Photophobia has natural causes when taking certain medications or using mydriatic drops.
It also develops with eye injuries and inflammation. Photophobia can occur with excess sunlight, this is often observed in northern latitudes. Snow reflects visible light and ultraviolet rays well. Prolonged stay of an unprepared person in northern latitudes can lead to photophobia.
Childhood photophobia
Young children may have congenital anomalies that cause photophobia. This is the absence or low content of the melanin pigment or albinism. Less common are pathologies such as the absence or transparency of the iris or its inability to respond to light.
The child is also attracted to pills that cause photophobia: Atropine, Phenylephrine, Idoxuridine. Children have a bad habit of looking at the sun, which causes retinal damage and photophobia. Most often, photophobia occurs in children with acrodynia, endocrine ophthalmopathy, conjunctivitis, and paralysis of the motor nerve of the eyes.
Photophobia, or photophobia, is discomfort in the eyes that appears in conditions of natural or artificial light, despite the fact that in complete darkness or twilight a person’s eyes do not experience discomfort.
Increased photosensitivity may be accompanied by a feeling of sand in the eyes, pain in the eyeballs, and lacrimation, which indicates the presence of eye diseases. This symptom can also occur against the background of pathology of the nervous system and diseases with a pronounced intoxicating effect on the body. Treatment for photophobia depends on the cause of the condition.
A short excursion into anatomy
The human eyeball is one of the sections of the peripheral part of the visual analyzer. It is designed only to capture and transform the image into a specific “code” that is understandable only to the nervous system. After this, such encoded information is transmitted along the optic nerve further to the subcortical centers of the brain and then to the cerebral cortex. It is in the latter that the analytical processing of the resulting image occurs.
The human eyeball consists of three membranes:
Fibrous, external
It is represented in front by a transparent cornea, the remaining sides (where the eyeball is protected from the external environment) are covered with fibrous tissue, which is called the sclera, it is dense and opaque.
The cornea receives oxygen from the external environment. Its vital activity is also supported by:
moisture, which is located on the anterior chamber of the eye;
a network of arteries that are located at the junction of the cornea and sclera;
mucus secreted by conjunctival cells;
lacrimal fluid, which is secreted by the lacrimal glands located on the conjunctival membrane (it is a peculiar version of the mucous membrane, which from the inside of the eyelids passes to the sclera, slightly short of the cornea).
The inflammatory process in the sclera is usually called scleritis, the conjunctiva - conjunctivitis, and the cornea - keratitis.
Choroid
The choroid is the richest in vessels and divides them into several parts:
The choroid itself, or choroid, the inflammation of which is called “choroiditis.”
Ciliary body. It is required in order to secrete intraocular fluid, ensure its outflow and filtration. Inflammation of this part is called cyclitis.
Iris. When it becomes inflamed, iritis occurs. It is required to regulate the amount of light entering the eye depending on the illumination of the environment.
Retina
Its inflammation is usually called retinitis - this is the inner lining of the eye. Experts believe that this is a section of the brain that is separated during the process of intrauterine development, during the formation of the nervous system, and is connected to the main regulatory center using the optic nerve. The retina is a structure that receives image information and converts it into signals that nerve cells in the brain can perceive.
The main reasons for the development of photophobia
The causes of photophobia are irritation of the following nerve systems:
Trigeminal nerve endings
They are located in the anterior part of the eyeball: parts of the choroid and cornea. Such photophobia becomes a sign of:
rubella;
corneal erosions;
snow and electroophthalmia;
corneal burn;
foreign body in the cornea;
keratoconjunctivitis of allergic nature;
keratitis;
iridocyclitis, cyclitis, iritis;
eye injuries;
conjunctivitis;
glaucoma.
computer vision syndrome;
incorrect selection of contact lenses;
Visual-nervous structures of the retina:
with retinal detachment;
color blindness;
with partial or complete absence of the iris;
when the pupil is dilated, especially persistently, which is caused by edema or a tumor of the brain, instillation of eye drops (for example, Tropicamide, Atropine), the use of certain narcotic drugs, in the presence of botulism;
with albinism, when the iris is light and is not able to protect the retina from the bright rays of the sun;
if your eyes are irritated by too bright light.
Photophobia can also be provoked by the following process, which is characteristic of severe lesions of the cornea:
the nerves that extend from the inflamed cornea reach the required area of the brain;
some of them fall not only into the area of subcortical structures that innervate the diseased eye, but also into the neighboring one, which transmits impulses from the healthy eye to the cerebral cortex;
in such a situation, only radical intervention with complete removal of the eyeball can help save the situation.
Increased photosensitivity that develops with migraine, retrobulbar neuritis (this disease can develop as an independent pathology or as part of multiple sclerosis) or trigeminal neuralgia (which is caused by herpes zoster in most cases) is explained by a similar phenomenon. Nerve impulses that come from the retina reach the subcortical structures. There they gather and then travel to the cortical structures. However, being pre-formed and strengthened in the subcortical layer of the corresponding nerves, they exceed the sensitivity threshold, which manifests itself in the development of photophobia.
The mechanism of photosensitivity in the presence of brain pathologies, such as a tumor, abscess, hemorrhage in the cranial cavity or inflammation of the membranes of the brain, has not yet been fully studied; accordingly, they will not be discussed here.
Photophobia symptoms
Photophobia is a complete intolerance to bright light for both eyes at the same time or only one eye, and the light can be of either natural or artificial origin. A patient who suffers from photophobia when entering a lit space instinctively closes his eyes, squints and thus tries to protect his own eye organ, or does this with the help of his hands. When wearing sunglasses, the situation changes somewhat for the better.
Increased sensitivity to light may be accompanied by:
unclear outlines of objects;
impaired visual acuity;
a feeling of pain and sand in the eyes;
redness of the eyes;
dilated pupils;
lacrimation;
headache.
Photophobia is a sign of eye diseases, when, in addition to it, there is swelling of the eyelids, redness of the eyes, decreased visual acuity, and purulent discharge from the eyes. If such symptoms are absent, then most likely the pathology is neurological in nature.
Depending on the manifestations that accompany photophobia, we can roughly guess which pathology the fear of bright light is a symptom of.
Photophobia along with lacrimation
The appearance of lacrimation and photophobia at the same time indicates the presence of damage to the lacrimal ducts or lacrimal glands. With such diseases, the level of photosensitivity increases, and lacrimation increases in the wind and cold. A combination of these symptoms may be present in the presence of the following diseases:
Mechanical eye injury
In this case, there is also the fact of the injury itself; accordingly, the person can say that a foreign body got into the eye or received a blow; it is also possible that chemical solutions penetrate into the eyes (soap, shampoo). In this case:
constriction of the pupil;
severe lacrimation;
blurriness of the objects in question and a veil before the eyes;
eye pain;
photophobia.
Symptoms are present in the affected eye.
Corneal lesion
Inflammation of the cornea, or keratitis, which is infectious (including herpetic) or allergic in nature, corneal burn, corneal erosion or ulcer. They provoke similar symptoms, so only an ophthalmologist can distinguish them after examining the patient’s visual organ:
decreased transparency of the cornea (the presence of a film of varying degrees of turbidity, including the formation of a so-called porcelain film on the eye);
redness of the sclera;
sensation of a foreign body under the eyelid;
blurred vision;
involuntary closing of the eyelids;
suppuration;
lacrimation;
photophobia;
pain in the eye, especially severe pain is observed with burns and corneal ulcers.
The disease begins acutely and can have a long course, ultimately leading to the formation of an eyesore and blindness.
Symptoms are almost always one-sided. Bilateral damage most often occurs in the presence of autoimmune damage to the visual organs.
Conjunctivitis
Acute conjunctivitis begins with pain and pain in the eyes. The latter begin to turn red and small hemorrhages may be present in some areas. As a result of inflammation, a large amount of pus, mucus and tears are released from the conjunctival sac. In addition, general health begins to deteriorate: malaise, headaches appear, and body temperature begins to rise.
Herpetic lesion of the trigeminal nerve
Manifested by the following symptoms:
the presence of prodromal phenomena: increased body temperature, headache, malaise, chills;
even near one eye, in a certain area, discomfort begins to appear from minor to severe itching, burning, boring, deep pain;
after this, the skin at the site of the lesion turns red, swells and becomes painful;
redness of the eye and lacrimation on the affected side;
after healing, which can be accelerated by using Acyclovir ointment, crusts begin to form at the site of the rash, which scar, leaving defects;
after healing, the pain disappears, but lacrimation may persist for a long time.
Flu, ARVI
These pathologies are manifested not only by photophobia and lacrimation. There is also an increase in body temperature, runny nose, and cough. Influenza is also characterized by headaches, pain in bones and muscles, and pain in the eyeballs when moving the eyes.
Electro-, or snow ophthalmia
These lesions of the peripheral ocular analyzer develop as a result of exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, reflected by snow, or welding; they appear:
forced closing of the eyes;
redness of the sclera;
clouding of the epithelium of the stratum corneum;
sensation of a foreign body or sand in the eyes;
lacrimation;
photophobia.
Retinal abiotrophy
This is a genetically determined process, in the presence of which there is a gradual death of the cones and rods on the retina, which are responsible for the formation of the image. The lesion almost always affects both eyes and is characterized by a gradual course with the presence of:
photophobia;
lacrimation, which is not very pronounced;
gradual narrowing of the visual field;
night blindness;
the eyes begin to get tired very quickly;
the acuity of black-and-white and color vision gradually begins to be lost;
after some time the person becomes blind.
Developmental abnormalities of the eyeballs
For example, the complete absence of the iris, which may be accompanied by:
photophobia;
lacrimation;
a person constantly covers his eyes with his hand in the light and sees practically nothing;
the eyeballs, when trying to fix their gaze, make sweeping movements up and down and left and right.
There is also a congenital partial absence of the iris, which manifests itself with similar symptoms, but not so pronounced.
Chronic retinitis
An inflammatory process in the retina, which is provoked by microorganisms that have entered the inner lining of the eyeball and are transferred through the bloodstream from the source of infection or in the process of direct injury to the eye. The disease occurs without pain in the eye. The following symptoms are present:
sensation of lightning, sparks, flashes in the eyes;
deterioration of color vision;
blurred outlines of objects;
deterioration in the ability to adapt to vision in the dark;
decreased visual acuity.
Retinal melanoma
This malignant neoplasm develops from melanin-secreting cells that lie on the retina. The disease manifests itself with the following symptoms:
change in the shape of the pupil;
eye pain;
redness of the sclera;
blurred vision.
Acute retinal detachment
This vision-threatening disease occurs in the presence of eye injuries, as well as as a complication of inflammatory pathologies on other membranes of the eyeball, in the presence of toxicosis during pregnancy, hypertension, intraocular tumors, occlusion (blocking the lumen) of the central artery supplying the retina.
The disease is manifested by the appearance in front of the eye, first of all, of flashes of light, flies, lines, and black dots. This condition may be accompanied by eye pain. In the presence of progressive retinal detachment, the following is observed:
a veil before the eyes, which grows until the visual field is completely blocked;
decrease in visual acuity. In some cases, vision may improve for some time in the morning, since the fluid is absorbed overnight and the retina temporarily sticks to its original place;
double vision is possible.
The disease can progress slowly and, in the absence of adequate help, lead to complete loss of vision in the affected eye.
Acute disorders of circulation and fluid exchange in the eye
The main one among them is glaucoma, which can last for a long time without pronounced symptoms, after which a sharp attack of the disease develops. It manifests itself:
nausea;
weakness.
photophobia as a result of pupil dilation;
pain in the eye;
headache, especially in the back of the head on the side of the affected eye;
Retinopathy, including diabetic
This retinal pathology is characterized by impaired blood circulation, as a result of which the retina and the optic nerve located behind it begin to gradually atrophy, which ultimately leads to blindness. It can develop against the background of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and trauma, as well as in the presence of other pathologies that affect the blood supply to the retina, but gradually and not acutely.
Symptoms of retinopathy depend on the type and location of the affected vessel. Among the main manifestations:
a veil floating before the eyes;
narrowing of the visual field;
progressive loss of visual acuity;
color vision impairment.
Intraocular hemorrhage
The symptoms of this pathology depend on the location of the process. Thus, when there is hemorrhage in the anterior chamber of the eyeball, an area appears on the eye where the blood has flowed, but vision does not suffer. In the case of hemorrhage in the area of the vitreous body, flashes of light appear and floaters move when the eyes move.
Hemorrhage under the conjunctival membrane looks like a purple spot on the eyeball, which persists for a long time.
When blood bleeds into the orbital cavity, there may be significant protrusion of the eye forward, difficulty moving and decreased visual acuity.
Rabies
This disease is provoked by a virus that is transmitted to the patient through the bite of an animal (dog, fox, or, less commonly, cat). The first signs of such a disease may appear even several years after the bite, these are:
lacrimation;
sound phobia;
excessive salivation;
fear of water;
photophobia.
Oculomotor nerve palsy
As a result of the development of this condition, a person loses the ability to move the eye in a certain direction (it all depends on which nerve was damaged), which ultimately becomes the cause of strabismus and double vision. When asked to follow a moving object, sweeping, rapid movements of the gaze are observed.
Lack of melanin in the iris
This disease is usually called albinism; it can be seen with the naked eye by a light and sometimes red iris (translucency of blood vessels). The skin is light in tone and particularly sensitive to light, but the skin may have normal melanin levels.
Manifestations from eye analyzers:
decreased visual acuity, with normal eye structures;
lacrimation in bright light;
sweeping involuntary movements of the eyeballs;
photophobia;
strabismus.
Decreased thyroid function
A person who suffers from this pathology begins to lose weight against the background of increased appetite, becomes overly nervous, and often suffers from fear and insomnia. The pulse is increased, speech is accelerated, there is a lack of concentration and tearfulness. On the part of the organs of vision, protrusion is noted, since the eyelids are not able to completely cover the eyeballs, accordingly this is manifested by pain in the eyes, dryness, photophobia and lacrimation.
Iritis
Inflammation of the iris of the eye, which occurs as a result of injury, an allergic reaction, or against the background of systemic diseases. It begins with severe eye pain, which gradually affects the temple, and then the entire head. Eye pain increases significantly in the light and with pressure on the eyes. As the pathology progresses, photophobia begins to develop, the pupils narrow, and the person blinks frequently.
Uveitis
This is the name for the inflammatory process of all parts of the choroid of the ocular analyzer. The disease manifests itself:
eye irritation;
the presence of floating spots before the eyes;
lacrimation;
sore eyes;
increased photosensitivity;
redness of the eyes.
Migraine
Pathology associated with impaired innervation of cerebral vessels manifests itself:
lacrimation;
intolerance to bright light and loud sounds;
nausea;
photophobia, usually bilateral;
pain in one side of the head.
Encephalitis and meningitis
These are inflammatory pathological processes that begin to develop as a result of penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the membranes and substance of the brain. These diseases manifest themselves as lacrimation, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, photophobia, fever, and headache. With encephalitis, focal signs appear: convulsions, difficulty swallowing, paresis and paralysis, facial asymmetry.
Hemorrhagic stroke
Hemorrhage into the cranial cavity is characterized by a combination of lacrimation and photophobia. An increase in temperature, convulsions, and the presence of focal neurological symptoms are also noted.
If photophobia is accompanied by eye pain
Combinations of eye pain and photophobia are typical for the following eye pathologies:
acute attack of glaucoma;
endophthalmitis is a purulent abscess that develops in the internal structures of the eye. It is characterized by pain in the eye, a progressive decline in visual acuity, and the presence of spots in the field of vision. The conjunctiva and eyelids begin to redden and swell. Pus begins to ooze from the eye;
keratoconjunctivitis;
corneal ulcer;
corneal burn;
mechanical injury to the cornea.
If photophobia is accompanied by severe redness of the eyes
When photophobia and redness develop at the same time, it may be a sign of:
conjunctivitis, which manifests itself as photophobia, purulent discharge from the eyes, redness of both visual organs. Visual acuity, pupil reaction to light and the shine of the cornea do not change;
acute anterior uveitis (inflammation of the ciliary body and iris). Manifested by pain in the eyes, redness around the cornea, blurred vision, decreased pupil diameter;
corneal ulcer;
corneal burns;
keratitis;
mechanical injury to the eyes.
When photophobia is combined with an increase in body temperature
Fever and photophobia are combined with the following diseases:
brain abscess – after suffering a traumatic brain injury, sinusitis and other purulent pathologies, an increase in body temperature, vomiting, nausea, and headache is observed. Focal signs are also present: personality changes, breathing and swallowing disorders, paresis and paralysis, facial asymmetry;
in some cases, trigeminal neuralgia;
with hemorrhagic stroke;
purulent uveitis;
endophthalmitis;
encephalitis;
meningitis.
When increased eye sensitivity to light is accompanied by headaches
If the patient is simultaneously bothered by headache and photophobia, this may be a sign of:
brain abscess;
acromegaly is a pathology that occurs as a result of increased secretion of growth hormone in an adult whose growth process has already ended. The main cause is a hormone-producing tumor of the part of the pituitary gland that is responsible for the synthesis of growth hormone. Photophobia does not occur as a primary symptom, but as the disease progresses. The first signs of pathology are headaches, joint pain, enlargement of the lower jaw, lips, nose, deterioration in the quality of the patient’s intimate life and reproductive abilities;
acute attack of glaucoma;
headache. It manifests itself as a monotonous, squeezing, hoop-like headache that occurs as a result of overwork. May be accompanied by photophobia, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, fatigue;
encephalitis;
meningitis;
When increased photosensitivity is accompanied by nausea
When photophobia and nausea are present, in most cases this indicates increased intraocular, intracranial pressure or extensive intoxication of the body. This situation is possible with the development of pathologies such as:
hemorrhagic stroke;
brain abscess;
encephalitis;
meningitis.
If there is pain in the eyes and photophobia
A feeling of pain in the eyes, supplemented by photophobia, may be a symptom of pathologies such as:
conjunctivitis;
blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelid, which is provoked by the addition of a bacteriological agent. Accompanied by swelling, thickening and redness of the edges of the eyelids, accumulation of gray-white mucus in the corners of the eyes, and redness of the conjunctiva. Instead of mucus, flakes like yellow dandruff may accumulate in the corners.
astigmatism is one of the types of visual acuity impairment;
trigeminal neuralgia;
ulcers or burns of the cornea;
Photophobia in children
In children, photophobia may indicate:
decrease in the amount of melanin in the iris;
hyperfunction of the thyroid gland;
oculomotor nerve palsy;
snow ophthalmia;
conjunctivitis;
foreign body in the eye;
acrodynia is a specific disease characterized by sweating on the feet and palms, which may become sticky and pink. There is also an increase in blood pressure, photophobia, loss of appetite, and tachycardia. Such children become hypersensitive to infection, which can become generalized in the body and lead to death.
Symptom treatment
Therapy for photophobia is entirely based on the cause of the development of this symptom. This requires ophthalmological diagnosis, since many eye diseases have similar symptoms. To make a diagnosis, the following studies are required:
sowing discharge from the conjunctival sac for fungi, viruses, bacteria;
electroretinography – helps in a thorough study of the functioning of the retina;
optical coherence tomography – allows you to diagnose changes in retinal tissue;
fluorescein angiography - study of the patency of the vessels that supply the ocular structures;
Ultrasound examination of the eye allows you to examine the transparent media of the organ if it is impossible to perform ophthalmoscopy;
pachymetry – measurement of the thickness of the stratum corneum;
gonioscopy - examination of the corner of the eye where the cornea borders the iris;
tonometry – measurement of intraocular pressure;
perimetry – checking the visual field;
biomicroscopy - examination using a special slit lamp for the presence of changes in the vitreous body and areas of the fundus;
ophthalmoscopy – examination of the fundus of the eye through a pre-dilated pupil.
If ophthalmological studies show that the patient is healthy, an examination by a neurologist is required. This specialist may prescribe additional studies such as:
Dopplerography of the cervical vessels that follow into the cranial cavity;
electroencephalography;
magnetic resonance imaging of the brain.
An ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland, determination of hormones in the blood, and x-ray of the lungs are also prescribed. When determining signs of hyperthyroidism or the presence of diabetic retinopathy, an endocrinologist is involved in therapy. If there is evidence of a tuberculosis process in the stratum corneum and conjunctiva, treatment is prescribed by a phthisiatrician.
What can you do before consulting a specialist?
You should not delay contacting a doctor, since such a seemingly simple problem can hide the presence of a malignant brain tumor, which is rapidly progressing. However, before making an appointment with a doctor, you absolutely should not suffer from bright daylight. To alleviate the condition, it is worth buying polarized sunglasses, which can reduce the dose of ultraviolet radiation that enters the eyes. In addition it is worth:
reduce the time spent working at the computer;
stop rubbing your eyes;
use Vidisik drops, which are an artificial tear preparation;
in the presence of purulent discharge, use drops with antibiotics or antiseptics: Tobradex, Levomycetin drops, Okomistin. In this case, the doctor must necessarily examine the patient, since the purulent process can affect the deeper structures of the eye, which a local antiseptic cannot reach;
If photophobia occurs as a result of a burn, injury or bruise to the eye, emergency ophthalmological care is required. You should first apply antiseptic drops to your eyes and apply a sterile bandage on top.
