What Causes A Sensitivity To Light?

Cataracts

Light sensitivity is usually not apparent in the early stages of cataract development. However, cataracts are progressive and eventually cause a cloudy, abnormal growth on the eye lens. These cloudy growths on the eye lens can cause a patient to have trouble with their vision. Cataracts can also produce what is referred to as a disability glare in an affected individual. Disability glare is a light sensitivity that occurs when an individual has an eye disease or condition that adversely affects their visual function. Disability glare is an increased sensitivity to normal lighting conditions that happens because the patient's eyes are not able to adjust to minor changes in light settings properly. Cataracts on the lens of the eye cause the incoming light to disperse and scatter, rather than focusing on the back of the eye onto the retina. This malfunction that occurs with the way a patient's eye takes in light and adjusts to light changes can cause them to have difficulty around any source of light that is only a mild degree of brightness.