If you’ve suddenly found yourself squinting in bright sunlight, reaching for your sunglasses more often, or feeling uncomfortable under bright indoor lights, you may be wondering what changed.
Sometimes, the answer could be in your medicine cabinet.
There are several medications cause light sensitivity. Others can cause dry eyes or changes in pupil size that make bright light more uncomfortable.
That doesn’t mean you should stop taking your medication. But it’s worth considering whether a medication could be contributing to symptoms.
Here are some common medication-related causes of light sensitivity.
What Is Photophobia?
Photophobia is simply the medical term for light sensitivity. If you have it, bright lights may suddenly feel too bright or make your eyes uncomfortable.
You might notice yourself:
- Squinting more when you step outside
- Reaching for your sunglasses more often
- Feeling bothered by headlights at night
- Turning down the brightness on your phone or computer
- Getting headaches or eye discomfort around bright lights
There are plenty of reasons your eyes might become more sensitive to light, including dry eye, migraines, and certain eye conditions. But one cause people don’t always think about is medication.
Photophobia vs Photosensitivity
You may also see the word photosensitivity listed as a medication side effect. It’s slightly different from photophobia. Photosensitivity means a medication can make you more sensitive to sunlight and UV exposure. And photophobia describes light actually feeling uncomfortable to your eyes.
Both can be reasons to pay a little more attention to your eyes and sun protection while taking certain medications.
Antibiotics
Some antibiotics can make you more sensitive to sunlight while you’re taking them. Doxycycline and tetracycline are the most common examples of the connection between antibiotics and light sensitivity.
Interestingly, doxycycline is sometimes used in eye care to help treat dry eye and eyelid conditions. So, it’s a medication we see fairly often.
If you’re taking an antibiotic that causes light sensitivity, don’t skip the medication. Just be a little more diligent about protecting your eyes (and your skin) from the sun. A good pair of sunglasses that blocks 100% of UVA and UVB rays is a great place to start.
Isotretinoin (Accutane)
Isotretinoin, commonly known by the former brand name Accutane, can affect your eyes in a few different ways.
One of the most common eye-related side effects is isotretinoin dry eye. When the surface of your eyes becomes dry and irritated, bright lights may also start to bother you more than usual. You might notice your eyes feeling gritty or tired, your contacts becoming less comfortable, or yourself reaching for sunglasses more often.
If you’re taking isotretinoin and notice dry eyes and light sensitivity, mention it to your eye doctor. There are often simple ways to make your eyes more comfortable while you’re taking the medication.
Antihistamines
If you take medication for seasonal allergies, you may have noticed that your eyes sometimes feel drier while taking it.
The connection between antihistamines and dry eyes comes from the medication’s drying effects. Some oral antihistamines can reduce tear production, leaving the surface of your eyes less lubricated.
For some people, that dryness can contribute to irritation, fluctuating vision, or increased sensitivity to light.
This can be particularly frustrating because allergies themselves can already cause itchy, watery, irritated eyes. If your allergy medication helps your other symptoms but leaves you with uncomfortable eyes, your eye doctor may be able to recommend ways to better manage the dryness.
RELATED CONTENT: How to Tell the Difference Between Allergies & Dry Eye
Antidepressants
Certain antidepressants can cause ocular side effects, including dry eye, blurred vision, difficulty focusing, or changes in pupil size.
The connection between antidepressants and light sensitivity can sometimes involve pupil dilation. Larger pupils allow more light to enter the eye, which may make bright environments more uncomfortable for someone who is already prone to sensitive eyes.
Not everyone taking an antidepressant will experience these effects, and risks vary depending on the specific medication.
If you develop a new vision problem or significant light sensitivity after starting a medication or changing your dosage, let both your prescribing healthcare provider and eye doctor know.
Diuretics
Some diuretics, often called water pills, can also make you more sensitive to sunlight. This includes hydrochlorothiazide, a common medication used for high blood pressure.
If you take one of these medications, you may find that your eyes (and skin) are a little more sensitive to bright sunlight than usual.
That doesn’t mean you need to avoid going outside if you notice diuretic photosensitivity. Just make sun protection a priority with sunglasses that offer 100% UVA and UVB protection, especially if you’ll be outdoors for an extended period.
What Should You Do About Medication Side Effects on the Eyes?
If you think you’re experiencing medication side effects on your eyes, don’t stop taking a prescription medication. First, talk to the healthcare provider who prescribed it. Tell them what you’re experiencing and when the symptoms began.
Depending on the medication and your symptoms, they may recommend continuing it, adjusting the dosage, switching medications, or taking additional precautions.
If do have eye sensitivity to sunlight, here’s how you can make your eyes more comfortable:
- Wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat during extended periods outdoors
- Use artificial tears if dry eye is contributing to your symptoms
- Avoid unnecessary exposure to intense sunlight
- Give your eyes time to adjust when moving between dark and bright environments
If don’t know whether your symptoms are actually related to medication, an eye exam can help identify other possible causes.
When Should I See My Eye Doctor?
Sudden light sensitivity shouldn’t automatically be blamed on medication, especially if it’s severe or accompanied by other symptoms.
Photophobia can sometimes indicate an eye condition that needs treatment. Schedule an eye exam if your light sensitivity persists, gets worse, or begins interfering with everyday activities.
Seek immediate medical attention if sensitivity to light occurs along with significant eye pain, a very red eye, sudden changes or loss of vision, severe headache, nausea, halos around lights, or an eye injury.
Those symptoms may indicate something more serious than a medication side effect.
Conclusion: Could Your Medication Be Causing Your Sensitive Eyes?
There are many possible reasons for sensitive eyes, and medications are only one piece of the puzzle.
Some medications that cause photophobia affect pupil size or contribute to dry eye, while other medications increase the body’s sensitivity to UV radiation. And sometimes, a medication may have nothing to do with your symptoms at all.
That’s one reason we ask about your medications during an eye exam. Bringing an up-to-date medication list to your appointment can help your eye doctor determine whether a new medication, dosage change, eye condition, or something else may be contributing to your symptoms.
