A 39-year-old member asked:
why do my eyes hurt when i look into a bright light?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Richard Bensinger answered
Ophthalmology 52 years experience
Protective reflex: The only source of bright light while eyes were evolving was the sun. Staring into the sun could cause a burn of the light reception and permanent damage. So the eye has evolved to avoid such an exposure. The eye does not "know" whether it is sunlight or bright artificial light so it reacts with pain and avoidance when a light is centered on the eye.
3179 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Richard Bensinger answered
Ophthalmology 52 years experience
Reflex: Strongly bright light can be uncomfortable and maybe even dangerous. The discomfort you feel is a protective reflex and is your eyes way of telling you not to stare at such light.
4508 viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
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Similar questions
A 52-year-old member asked:
Why does my eyes hurt when I wake up?
3 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Andrew Shatz answered
Ophthalmology 26 years experience
Headache: Headaches, light sensitivity and other causes can be at work. If this has been happening for some time, it could be dry eyes or an inflammation. If this is a recent event, and occurs daily, have an eye doctor take a look. There is often a simple explanation for the irritation, and possibly an easy fix.
6082 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Sometimes my eyes hurt. They feel strained. What could be wrong?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Yash Khanna answered
Family Medicine 57 years experience
EYES HURT SOMETIMES: Have you have your eye sight checked lately.Do you wear glasses, do you have any other medical condition like high BP or diabetes.You definitely need to see your eye doctor to be evaluated if you need glasses a nd have a retinal exam to rule out any other serious condition.It may be nothing serious but you need to hear from an eye doctor.So go and see the eye doctor.
5968 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Why do my eyes hurt after I put on contacts? Am I doing something wrong?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Alfred H. Rivera answered
Ophthalmology 40 years experience
Possible misfit.: If your eyes hurt after placing contacts on it could be that they have been misfit for the shape of your cornea. This is especially likely if the eyes hurt immediately after placing them on and they keep hurting. If the eyes are initially comfortable and then hurt later on, it could be that you have dry eyes and your lenses are not permitting enough oxygen to get to the cornea. Tears might help.
5744 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
What causes my eyes to hurt in the bright light?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Martin Perlmutter answered
Ophthalmology 59 years experience
Sunglasses: Fair skinned complexion and some eye disorders can make a person photophobic. In all forms of uveitis and keratitis eys will become sensitive to light. See an ophthalmologist if it becomes a significant problem to you and especially if one eye becomes red and the vision reduced.
5570 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Why do my eyes hurt whenever i watch tv?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Jeffrey Davis answered
Ophthalmology 16 years experience
Dry eye/strain: Dry eye or eye strain can cause discomfort. Try using artificial tears to help lubricate the eye and see if that helps. You may also want to have your vision checked to see if glasses could help.
5448 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Last updated Mar 21, 2019
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