photophobia

American  

[foh-tuh-foh-bee-uh] / ˌfoʊ təˈfoʊ bi ə /

noun

1. Pathology. a painful sensitivity to or extreme intolerance of bright light, as in iritis.

2. an irrational or disproportionate fear of light.

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photophobia British  

/ ˌfəʊtəʊˈfəʊbɪə /

noun

1. pathol abnormal sensitivity of the eyes to light, esp as the result of inflammation

2. psychiatry abnormal fear of or aversion to sunlight or well-lit places

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Other Word Forms

• photophobic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of photophobia

First recorded in 1790–1800; photo- + -phobia

Explanation

People with photophobia experience intense pain when they're exposed to bright light. Photophobia is a common symptom of a migraine headache. Although its main definition is "extreme light sensitivity," photophobia can also be an irrational fear of light. Its Greek roots are phōs, "light," and phobos, "fear." Many medical conditions can cause people to have eye or head pain when they're exposed to light, including TMJ, traumatic brain injury, cataracts, and eye injuries. If the midday sunshine sends you blinking painfully back into your dark house, you're either a vampire or you're suffering from photophobia.

Example Sentences

In late 1978, when I was 13, I started a fanzine called Photophobia, about the independent music scene.

From The Guardian • Jun. 23, 2017

Photophobia is not uncommon, and oscillation of the pupils and spasmodic movements of the eyeball have frequently been observed.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various

Photophobia, and even transient amblyopia, have been observed to follow small doses.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)