Description and Possible Medical Problems
As we age, the eye takes longer to adjust to changes in light, due to changes in the retina and vitreous humor. But if your eyes actually hurt when they’re exposed to bright light, aging is not the culprit; your mouth or sinuses are.
The sinuses, oral cavity, and eyes are located so close together that sometimes a problem in one area will spill over to one of the others. The ears and throat can also sometimes be responsible for the pain you feel in your eyes when they’re exposed to light.
If you have a toothache or other dental problem, or if your sinuses are acting up, it’s possible that the pain you’re feeling is responsible for making your eyes more sensitive to light. If you treat the toothache or sinus condition, the pain you feel in your eyes when you look at a bright light should go away.
If, however, this sensitivity to light remains after your toothache or sinus headache has cleared up, you should see your doctor in order to determine the true cause. Eye pain that’s caused by exposure to light is also a symptom of uveitis, an inflammation of the part of the eye that includes the iris; conjunctivitis; and Graves’ disease, a malfunction of the thyroid gland. Uveitis is usually treated with eyedrops containing prednisone. Graves’ disease is treated by addressing the overactive thyroid; medication may include beta-blockers or even a dose of radioactive iodine to help diagnose and then treat the thyroid gland.
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