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What Is The Cause And Treatment For Photophobia?

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Posted on Sat, 21 Jun 2014
Question: Hello, in January 2012 my eyes started to flutter, I could hardly see. They kept giving me trouble and eventually after seeing 3 specialists, one eye doctor and two doctors - all said I had dry eye glaucoma - 7 months later, my eyes were almost permanently closed a doctor suggested I had Blepharospasm. I tried Magnesium - ancient minerals, they did not help at all, I then had Botox every appox. 95 days. The Botox is working less and less, all this time I thought my sensitivity to light was part of the Bleph!
I have now figured out maybe I just have light sensitivity? I love cloudy days, my eyes close while my husband is driving, I have not driven for over a year. My eyes close in bright sun light, I cannot watch T.V., the computer is OK unless I am tired.
I have told and told my eye doctor the Botox is not working, he says nothing, can you please advise me what is the best thing to do? I now have to live in a darkened room, cannot go for walks if the sun is shining, my eyes are closed most of the time. I rest a lot.
Thank you, XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Sensitivity of light indicates photophobia.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care Magic

It seems from the history that you are having difficulty in opening the eyes and you are having sensitivity to light.
Difficulty in opening the eyes with twitching or squeezing of the eyelids which is involuntary in nature is called as blepharospasm and it is treated by use of botox injections.
Botox injections act for 3-6 months. Hence if the injections of botox are not acting effectively the botox is needed to be repeated.
Sensitivity of light indicates damage to corneal epithelium and is called as photophobia. It can be caused by dry eye or because of epithelial damage of cornea as a result of squeezing of the eyes. The treatment of the condition is by use of artificial tears eye drops.

Glaucoma is not related to sensitivity of light or blepharospasm. It is characterized by raise in intraocular pressure and loss of visual fields. This requires evaluation by measurement of the intraocular pressure and visual field.

Hence I advice you to consult your eye doctor to rule out glaucoma and treatment of dry eye by artificial tears eye drops and blepharospasm by botox injections.

Hope the information is helpful to you.

Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (15 hours later)
Hello, thank you for you reply, I tried about two dozen different drops for dry eyes, I do not have dry, they all made my eyes red and sore. My eyes do not give me any other kind of trouble.
I was hoping you knew which are the best kind of glasses to wear to help the light sensitivity, vitamins or any thing other then Botox?
I do not like having the Botox injections, isn't there another way to help my problem? The last time I had Botox, I had a black eye, that was less then a month ago (8th May) and I am already the same as before the shots. I cannot go on like this it is very expensive.
Thank you,XXXX

doctor
Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Multivitamins and antiglare coated glasses help.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.

You can use artificial tear eye drops for symptomatic relief from sensitivity to light.
Glasses with anti glare coated lenses will help you to prevent sensitivity to light.
For twitching of the eyelids you can use tablets with multivitamins containing Vitamin B complex and antioxidants.
These essential micro nutrients are known to help to prevent nerve induced twitching of the eyelids.

Hope the information is helpful to you.

Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dadapeer K

Ophthalmologist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 5709 Questions

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What Is The Cause And Treatment For Photophobia?

Brief Answer: Sensitivity of light indicates photophobia. Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to Health care Magic It seems from the history that you are having difficulty in opening the eyes and you are having sensitivity to light. Difficulty in opening the eyes with twitching or squeezing of the eyelids which is involuntary in nature is called as blepharospasm and it is treated by use of botox injections. Botox injections act for 3-6 months. Hence if the injections of botox are not acting effectively the botox is needed to be repeated. Sensitivity of light indicates damage to corneal epithelium and is called as photophobia. It can be caused by dry eye or because of epithelial damage of cornea as a result of squeezing of the eyes. The treatment of the condition is by use of artificial tears eye drops. Glaucoma is not related to sensitivity of light or blepharospasm. It is characterized by raise in intraocular pressure and loss of visual fields. This requires evaluation by measurement of the intraocular pressure and visual field. Hence I advice you to consult your eye doctor to rule out glaucoma and treatment of dry eye by artificial tears eye drops and blepharospasm by botox injections. Hope the information is helpful to you. Thank you