Dry eyes can generate a list of irritating symptoms. You might notice that your eyes feel gritty or as though something is stuck in them. Your eyes may appear red, burn or feel itchy. You can also experience sensitivity to light, which makes it hard to perform your daily activities. At Bogey Hills Vision Center in Saint Charles, our focus is to improve your symptoms by treating the underlying condition.

What Is Photophobia?

Light sensitivity isn’t an eye condition. Instead, it is a symptom that can come from having dry eyes. This symptom can make your eyes hurt when they are exposed to light, especially if it is bright. It can also trigger migraines. Sunlight along with other types of light such as incandescent and fluorescent can all contribute to you experiencing ocular discomfort.

Why Does It Happen?

It’s frustrating when you can’t enjoy the beautiful outdoor weather in Cottleville without feeling pain. Fortunately, the field of optometry is based on helping people diagnose and treat their eye conditions. A dry eye develops minor irregularities on the surface that aren’t easily visible without using special equipment. These changes on the surface of your eye can change how the light scatters across the lens, which leads to discomfort.

How Do You Improve Your Comfort?

Treating your sensitivity involves addressing the underlying cause, which is having dry eyes. Right now, you can reduce your comfort by wearing sunglasses when you are exposed to light. After an exam, your doctor might prescribe medicated drops to lubricate the surface of your eyes. For severe cases, you might need medication to help stimulate tear production. Lubricating lenses are another potential option for improving your ability to spend time in well-lit areas.

Contact Our Optometry Professionals for Dry Eye and Photophobia Treatment in Saint Charles, Cottleville, and St. Peters

No one should have to plan their lives around avoiding the sun and other bright lights. A complete eye exam helps you to rule out any other underlying conditions and get a treatment plan for treating your dry eyes. Call Bogey Hills Vision Center in St. Peters today at (636) 946-1176 for more information or to schedule an appointment.