Symptoms that accompany headache and dizziness
Light Sensitivity
Related terms: Photosensitivity, dazzling light and headache
Light sensitivity is a symptom where light feels excessively bright or uncomfortable compared to usual, leading one to seek dark places. This commonly occurs alongside migraines and vestibular migraines.
Reviewed by Korean Medicine Doctor Yeon-seung Choi · Last updated 2026-08-26
Meaning and Distinctions
What is light sensitivity?
We examine when dizziness related to visual movement, headaches, and nausea begin, along with discomfort from light itself. Light sensitivity is a symptom where light feels excessively dazzling or uncomfortable compared to usual, leading one to seek dark places. It often occurs together with migraines and vestibular migrainecan commonly appear together in those cases.
- Easily confused terms
- For eye pain, redness, or sudden vision loss, ophthalmological causes must be checked first.
- Why this is checked during medical evaluation
- Instead of simply increasing light avoidance, we compare the exposure scenarios and recovery time during treatment.
- What to note down for your visit
- Please note whether the symptoms are more severe under screens, sunlight, or supermarket lighting, and whether they are accompanied by a headache.
Dizziness, Ear, Head, and Face Glossary
Compare similar terms here
You can check simple definitions before proceeding to detailed explanations.Migraine auraMigraine aura refers to symptoms such as flashing lights or zigzag patterns in the field of vision, or temporary changes in sensation or speech, occurring before or during a headache. This does not occur in all migraines.Vestibular MigraineVestibular migraine is a condition where characteristics of migraine and recurrent vestibular symptoms appear together; a headache may not be present during an attack.
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Check guides where this term is used
- Condition GuideMigraineMigraine is not a condition confirmed by a single blood test or MRI; it is clinically diagnosed by synthesizing recurring headache patterns, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, aura, and physical and neurological examinations. If typical migraine patterns are stable and the examination is normal, brain imaging is not always necessary. CT or MRI is selected to identify other causes if the headache starts suddenly and severely, changes rapidly in appearance, or if new headaches, neurological abnormalities, or persistent atypical aura occur after age 50.→
- Condition GuideHeadacheHeadaches can appear as pressure or throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head, or in the front, side, or back, and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light, sound, and smell. Migraines often present as throbbing pain that gradually worsens on one side, along with nausea and sensory hypersensitivity; some experience auras such as flashing vision, difficulty speaking, or tingling in the hands and face before the pain. However, newly occurring paralysis, sensory loss, or speech impairment must not be assumed to be a migraine aura. Immediate emergency evaluation is required for a sudden, severe 'worst-ever' headache, seizures, decreased consciousness, one-sided paralysis, difficulty speaking or walking, loss of vision, high fever, neck stiffness, non-blanching rash, or a headache following head trauma.→
- Medical Evaluation GuideWhat are the differences between BPPV, Meniere's disease, and vestibular migraine?If a sensation of spinning lasts from a few seconds to around 1 minute and recurs when turning over or lifting your head, it helps in identifying BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo). If dizziness lasting from tens of minutes to several hours occurs alongside changes in hearing in one ear, tinnitus, or a feeling of fullness in the ear, we check for Meniere's disease; if there is sensitivity to light, sound, and movement, or a history of migraines, even without a current headache, we check for vestibular migraine. We differentiate these by matching symptoms with hearing tests, nystagmus observation, neurological examinations, and changes over time.→
- Head, Ear, and Face ColumnWhy do you feel dizzy at supermarkets, looking at screens, or in vehicles? Differences between visual dependence, PPPD, and vestibular migraine→
Evidence and Update Information
The following materials were referenced to verify the basis and scope of the definitions and treatment descriptions.