Sensitivity to Light

information on nutrition, harmful drugs, lifestyle

Light Sensitivity (Photophobia) is a condition where your eyes are overly sensitive to light, possibly causing pain, tearing and discomfort. When light enters the eyes, it causes a chemical reaction in the back of the eyes. This reaction, effecting the rods and cones, allows us to adapt to differences between light and dark. The light sensitivity may be the result of the rods and cones not recovering efficiently. Other causes include dry eyes and/or corneal issues.

Certain nutrients such as lutein, zeaxanthin, bilberry, vinpocetine, l-lysine, a number of vitamins & enzymes, and fish oil may help with light sensitivity and help preserve vision as well
See self help tips and nutritional recommendations

Symptoms

Pain, tearing, discomfort in sunlight or even interior bright light, or glare on a hazy day.

Nutritional Supplements for Sensitivity to Light

These are the most important supplements and recommendations for light sensitivity.

Shopping Tips

On a tight budget?

Here's our single most important recommendation:
Doctor's Choice: Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula (AEV) - Dr. Grossman's Advanced Eye & Vision (whole food) Support Formula - 60 vcaps per bottle

Essential: Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula (AEV) - Dr. Grossman's Advanced Eye & Vision (whole food) Support Formula - 60 vcaps per bottle

Essential: Carlsons Super Omega-3 250 - 1000 mg gelcaps (SUP37) - Omega-3 250 gelcaps 1,000mg per gelcap - Natural Lemon Flavor (SUP37)

Helpful: VisionTone Formula - Vision Tone Formula is based on the classic Chinese formula Six-Ingredient Pill

Helpful: Clear Focus - Clear Focus is a liquid based sublingual formula containing Bilberry, Lutein, Ginkgo Biloba and Zeaxanthin.

Helpful: Fruits N Greens 180 gm (FRUI4) - Fruits N Greens 180 gm powder (FRUI4)

Causes

Frequently, individuals with light colored eyes and skin are more sensitive to light. Other causes of sensitivity may be due to the following:

Deficiency of beta carotene and lutein.
Thyroid condition
Diabetes

Drugs that can cause light sensitivity (see "Drugs That Harm the Eyes" for a more complete list of harmful drugs:)

Certain antibiotics
Anti-malarial drugs
Antihistamines
Blood pressure medications
Digoxin - is used for heart failure or heart irregularity
Photosensitizing drugs

Diet, Nutrition & Self Help

Diet & Nutrition

The Vision Diet - recommended in Natural Eye Care: An Encyclopedia on CD, authored by Marc Grossman, O.D., L.Ac. and Michael Edson, MS, L.Ac. This CD covers 29 major eye conditions including Photophobia with specific nutrient, diet, exercise and juicing instructions by eye condition, plus much more.
Consume dark green vegetables such as spinach and collards, which are high in lutein and zeaxanthin, two nutrients vital for healthy eyes.
Limit drinking (a glass of red wine daily is fine)
Avoid hydrogenated oils, excessive intake of refined carbohydrates and sugar
Supplement your diet with an excellent eye multivitamin such as Dr. Grossman's Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula and an organic green drink daily such as Nanogreens

Lifestyle & General Health

Always wear sunglasses outside, especially on bright days. (Blue and green eyed people are particularly sensitive to potential sun-induced damage, so the use of eye protection is paramount). Amber and grey lenses are the most effective protection against UVA/UVA and blue light.
Avoid smoking
Increase your driving vision- clean your headlights
Slow down. That way, you give yourself more time to react to any unexpected hazards.
Get prescription glasses for driving at night if needed (see your eye doctor to determine if they would be helpful).
When driving at night, look to the right. Look at the roadway's edge to the right to help you avoid the glare of oncoming headlights.
Leave the driving till tomorrow. Drive only during the day. Even good lighting conditions at night, such as found in a big city, can be troublesome to someone with night blindness.

Research

Recent studies.

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