Why do I occasionally experience light sensitivity?

Light sensitivity is a symptom that can have a number of different causes.

Many things that disturb the surface of the eye, such as significant dryness or a corneal abrasion, can make oneself more sensitive to light than usual.

Problems not directly associated with the eye can also cause light sensitivity. These include migraines, and even severe infections like meningitis.

If someone has a history of intermittent episodes of light sensitivity associated with headache and possible nausea, sometimes with short-lived visual disturbances of 15-20 minutes, with complete resolution of the symptoms in between attacks/episodes, it may be migraine. But this is a 'diagnosis of exclusion', so other possible causes need to be ruled out in a proper clinic consultation first.

As noted above, there are many possible causes of this symptom, and you should consult a doctor who can obtain a full history and perform a thorough examination, before arriving at a proper diagnosis.

Disclaimer: This answer is not a substitute for a proper, comprehensive clinic consultation and is intended for general educational purposes only.

I'm sorry to hear about your intermittent episodes of light sensitivity!

In view of your associated symptoms of associated nausea, tightness in the neck and head, you should get reviewed by your ophthalmologist or neurologist as these symptoms are consistent with migraine headaches.

Your physician can help to review you to ascertain the likely reason for your light sensitivity, and to exclude other causes such as dry eyes, incorrect spectacle prescription, or an organic disorder of the eye.

ESG

It would be good to ask yourself if you have any history of migraine. Migraine usually occurs as tension in the neck or head, nausea and sensitivity to light.

In some cases, vision may also be blurry or blotchy and flashes of light may be seen. Perhaps you may see your doctor to rule out any possibility of migraine or other cases.