Clinical features and ocular and autonomic nerves findings in patients with visual impairment from photophobia and ocular pain

Abstract

We report new findings for patients suffering discomfort from the glare of LED (light emitting diodes) and periocular discomfort or ocular pain without any causes in the eyeballs and optic pathways. The total number of cases was nine (age range, 34–62 years old; male to female ratio, 3:6). Clinical characteristics were ocular photophobia, and ocular and periocular pain. The causes of photophobia and photosensitivity were interior lighting, digital devices (displays on PCs and smartphones) and car headlights. In the contrast sensitivity visual acuity test, visual acuity on glare stimulation did not reduce. Abnormalities were not detected in pupillary examinations using pupillography with red / blue light stimulation. Photophobia or ocular pain were the main complaints, despite the absence of pathology in the ocular and optic pathways, and most of the cases had disturbed daily vision. These cases possibly have disorders of higher brain dysfunction related to vision, but the detailed mechanism is not known.