Why am I having light sensitivity in one eye?

When only one eye is sensitive to light, it might be due to a few different issues in that eye. One possibility is optic neuritis, which means the optic nerve (the cable that sends pictures from your eye to your brain) is inflamed. This condition can make the eye hurt when you look at bright light and sometimes comes with blurry vision or pain with eye movement. Another possibility relates to the way your eye's retina works. Some people have more unusual presentations, where one eye sends signals that make it seem extra sensitive to light. Remember, having light sensitivity in just one eye does not always mean something serious, but it does call for an evaluation by an eye care professional. They can run tests, such as checking how the retina responds to light, and help determine the best treatment for you. If you're experiencing light sensitivity along with other symptoms like vision changes or pain, try our free symptom checker to help identify potential causes before your doctor's appointment.