Light Sensitivity

Even though I feel like this sometimes, mostly outside during summer time, the only sensible thing to do in this situation is to go see an eye doctor. I wouldn't take an issue with my eyes lightly.

Based on the ring binder idea, it's also possible that your post was some kind of satire. If I missed the joke, sorry :)

Yeah, I have some problems like this but with sunlight and incandescent light only -- fluorescent light doesn't bother me as much.

My eye doctor's recommendation is to wear sunglasses. Thanks.

Are you drinking enough water? I sometimes have that problem when I get dehydrated.

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Original post by Extrarius Are you drinking enough water? I sometimes have that problem when I get dehydrated.

Yeah, I'm definitely drinking enough water. Better water drinking habits was the first part of my "getting healthier" phase, and I still stick to it pretty well. I get at least 48 fl-oz a day, and usually 64.

I think I might be having a bad reaction to caffeine. I don't really drink a lot of caffiene, at most two cups of coffee a day, most days only 1. I just had a cup a few minutes ago, and now the lights don't bother me so much. I didn't drink any caffeine over the long weekend (not even soda), and this morning seemed particularly bad with the lights.

I know migraines aren't necessarily associated with splitting headaches and nausea, but it's not quite that level of light sensitivity. Maybe I'm having mini-migraines from lack of caffeine after building a resistance to it.

I need to go see an optometrist anyway, as I haven't been to one in over a year and I need my lens prescriptions updated. I will mention it to the doc then, but I won't see a general practitioner. Those guys don't know anything that I can't figure out on my own with my basic applications of the scientific method. Visits follow a pretty consistent pattern:
ME: "I have these symptoms, and when I change my behaviour in this way, this happens. I think I am suffering from this."
DOCTOR: "I concur, here are some drugs to help with the symptoms while you're waiting for your dietary/lifestyle changes that you already planned to take effect."

Considering my symptoms are bearable, I usually just skip the drugs. What point is there in seeing the doctor, then?

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Original post by Ravuya Yeah, I have some problems like this but with sunlight and incandescent light only -- fluorescent light doesn't bother me as much. My eye doctor's recommendation is to wear sunglasses. Thanks.

Sunlight bothered me a couple of days ago, but I was driving to work at an unusually early hour, so it was probably just the lower sun causing the problem. There is an incandescent bulb that bothers me, but it's on the ceiling at the foot of the stairs going down to the basement, so it's basically right in your face when you walk downstairs. Mostly it's just the fluorescents.

Hmm, after that cup of coffee, they don't even seem as bright as before...

Hi Capn, it's well known that caffeine intake can dilate your eyes which will make you more sensitive to light. There have have been periods in my life where I've had weird vision problems, light sensitivity being one of them; these periods usually follow stressful times and major life changes. If it becomes too great of a nuisance you should definitely see a doctor just to make sure it's nothing serious.

Hey,

cool that you mention it. Im having a similar problem since I started my new job. After a couple of hours I can hardly read anything on the screen anymore. First I thought it was my eyes but then I never had it this bad working at home. Now I believe its the light. Its really bright in here and the lights reflecting everywhere.
I know they say a lighted room is better on the eyes but I think it shouldnt be overdone. A good medium intensity lightsource from the side seems optimal to me.
Since I can change the rooms light, did sunglasses help anyone :)
Or perhaps making the visual studio background black?

CProgrammer

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Original post by chessnut Hi Capn, it's well known that caffeine intake can dilate your eyes which will make you more sensitive to light. There have have been periods in my life where I've had weird vision problems, light sensitivity being one of them; these periods usually follow stressful times and major life changes. If it becomes too great of a nuisance you should definitely see a doctor just to make sure it's nothing serious.

ah yeah, good call. I should keep a mirror handy at my desk.

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Original post by CProgrammer Hey, cool that you mention it. Im having a similar problem since I started my new job. After a couple of hours I can hardly read anything on the screen anymore. First I thought it was my eyes but then I never had it this bad working at home. Now I believe its the light. Its really bright in here and the lights reflecting everywhere. I know they say a lighted room is better on the eyes but I think it shouldnt be overdone. A good medium intensity lightsource from the side seems optimal to me. Since I can change the rooms light, did sunglasses help anyone :) Or perhaps making the visual studio background black? CProgrammer

I did cool down the Windows theme colors a bit, but that was mostly aesthetic anyway. I tried turning the brightness down on my display, but that just made it hard to read. I really think it's the environmental lights.

I've definitely developed a sensitivity to light over the years, and I just chalk it up to extensive computer use messing up my eyes :) I can't go outside on a moderately sunny day without sunglasses, or at least a lot of squinting. Artificial light doesn't bother me though. If it doesn't hurt though, then see if it goes away in a few days.

You're just starting to get old man! [grin]

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Original post by LessBread You're just starting to get old man! [grin]

I'm definitely going deaf in my right ear. I have to use my phone specifically on my left ear because I can't hear anywhere near as well out of my right. I wonder if that has anything to do with the time I blew up my bedroom or the time I blew up my best friend (actually, my friend blew himself up, and both subjects are still intact). I don't listen to particularly loud music, though.

I'm also very sensitive to light, although mostly bright sunlight. The reason is that my pupils dilate too much in bright light, which is a genetically inherited condition. It got a little worse for while after having Lasik, but went back to the normal level after a year or so. I usually wear sun glasses when driving in the summer, that takes care of it.

If you suddendly developed this condition (it's called photophobia, btw), then you should definitely see an ophtalmologist. There are some very serious eye diseases with early symptoms manifesting themselves as hypersensitivity to light.

I watched House last night... long story short; rabies?

Since no one brought it up, have you been sleeping well? I find myself more sensitive to strong lights and sound when I sleep less than usual.