Photophobia
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Photophobia (also light sensitivity) is a symptom of excessive sensitivity to light and the aversion to sunlight or well-lit places. Patients with photophobia usually seek the shelter of a dark room.
Causes
Patients may develop photophobia as a result of several different medical conditions, related to the eye or the nervous system. Those experiencing photophobia of acute onset are often advised to see a physician as soon as possible as this could be a sign of meningitis.Other common disorders which lead to photophobia are migraines, encephalitis, conjunctivitis, aphakia, and iritis.
Anticholinergic drugs may cause photophobia by paralyzing the iris sphincter muscle.
In mythology
In folklore and mythology, many creatures suffer from photophobia.
- The Norse troll is said to either turn to stone or become trapped above ground when the sun rises.
- According to Paracelsus, gnomes explode when they go above ground. As C.S. Lewis puts it, "if he thrust out his face…[it] would break into splinters, bursting as a man would burst in interstellar space."
- In English folklore, goblins are said to be unable to bear light.
- A common element of the vampire myth says that vampires perish, generally by burning or turning to ash, in the sunlight.
In fiction
- In J.R.R. Tolkein's works, goblins are said to get wobbly legs and become giddy in the head when outside, while trolls turn to stone.
- In Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, the zombies from the movie Zombies in the Snow are forced to retreat during daylit hours.
- In the films Gremlins and , the Mogwai (both pre- and post-metamorphosis) are incredibly sensitive to bright light; direct sunlight on their skin will kill them in a matter of seconds.
See also
References
Lewis, C.S. Poems: C.S. Lewis. U.S.: Harvest/HBJ, 1964. ISBN 0-15-672248-8.
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