What Causes A Sensitivity To Light?

Certain Medications

An individual who takes certain medications may experience a sensitivity to light as an adverse side effect. There are also some supplements that produce light sensitivity. Common medications that induce sensitivity to light may include antihistamines, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, quinine, furosemide, oral contraceptives, estrogen-based contraceptives, sulfonamides, and tricyclic anti-depressants. Approximately one percent of individuals who use the medications naproxen and ibuprofen experience a painful sensitivity to light. Phenytoin, used for the treatment of seizures and epilepsy, can cause numerous vision-related adverse side effects, including a sensitivity to light. Methotrexate can increase sensitivity to light in some individuals who take it. Methotrexate is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and is used in chemotherapy cocktails to treat specific forms of cancer. The antibiotics doxycycline and tetracycline are used to treat certain bacterial infections, sexually transmitted diseases, urinary tract infections, and some forms of acne. These antibiotics are also known to produce light sensitivity and other eye-related side effects.

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