STUDY - Technical - New Dacian's Medicine
Photophobia
(Classical / Allopathic Medicine)
A
common symptom, of photophobia, is an abnormal sensitivity
to light. In many patients, photophobia simply indicates
increased eye sensitivity without underlying pathology.
For example, it can stem from the excessive wearing of
contact lenses or the use of poorly fitted lenses. In
others, this symptom can result from a systemic disorder,
an ocular disorder or trauma, or the use of a particular
drug.
HISTORY:
Ask your patient about the onset and severity of the photophobia. Did it follow eye trauma, a chemical splash, or exposure to the rays of a sunlamp?
Ask the patient if he wears contact lenses. If so, how long does he keep his contact lenses in? How old are the contact lenses? If they are extended-wear lenses, how often does he remove them and change them?
Ask the patient about eye pain, and have him describe its location, duration, and intensity. Does he have a sensation of a foreign body in his eye?
Ask the patient about associated signs and symptoms, such as increased tearing and vision changes.
Ask your patient about the onset and severity of the photophobia. Did it follow eye trauma, a chemical splash, or exposure to the rays of a sunlamp?
Ask the patient if he wears contact lenses. If so, how long does he keep his contact lenses in? How old are the contact lenses? If they are extended-wear lenses, how often does he remove them and change them?
Ask the patient about eye pain, and have him describe its location, duration, and intensity. Does he have a sensation of a foreign body in his eye?
Ask the patient about associated signs and symptoms, such as increased tearing and vision changes.
PHYSICAL
ASSESSMENT:
Take the patient's vital signs, and assess his neurologic status.
Inspect the eyes’ external structures for abnormalities. Examine the conjunctiva and sclera, noting especially their color. Characterize the amount and consistency of discharge, if present.
Check pupillary reaction to light. Evaluate extraocular muscle function by testing the six cardinal fields of gaze, and test visual acuity in both eyes.
Take the patient's vital signs, and assess his neurologic status.
Inspect the eyes’ external structures for abnormalities. Examine the conjunctiva and sclera, noting especially their color. Characterize the amount and consistency of discharge, if present.
Check pupillary reaction to light. Evaluate extraocular muscle function by testing the six cardinal fields of gaze, and test visual acuity in both eyes.
SPECIAL
CONSIDERATIONS:
Keep in mind that photophobia can accompany life-threatening meningitis; however, it isn't a cardinal sign of meningeal irritation.
Keep in mind that photophobia can accompany life-threatening meningitis; however, it isn't a cardinal sign of meningeal irritation.
PEDIATRIC
POINTERS:
Suspect photophobia in a child who squints rubs his eyes frequently or wears sunglasses indoors and outside.
Congenital disorders (such as albinism) and certain childhood diseases (such as measles and rubella) can cause photophobia.
Suspect photophobia in a child who squints rubs his eyes frequently or wears sunglasses indoors and outside.
Congenital disorders (such as albinism) and certain childhood diseases (such as measles and rubella) can cause photophobia.
PATIENT
COUNSELING:
Advise the patient to darken the room and close both eyes to help promote eye comfort. Dark glasses should be worn when outdoors.
Advise the patient to darken the room and close both eyes to help promote eye comfort. Dark glasses should be worn when outdoors.
Bibliography:
1. Rapid Assessment, A
Flowchart Guide to Evaluating Signs & Symptoms, Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins, 2004.
2. Professional Guide to
Signs and symptoms, Edition V, Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins, 2007.
3. Guide to common symptoms,
Edition V, McGraw - Hill, 2002.