eli5… Light eyes are more sensitive to light than darker eyes—but how noticeable is the sensitivity?

Question

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In: 37

Answer 1

It’s noticeable to the point that you feel pain. Like imagine the feeling of “wince” but isolated only in your eyes. It’s like all of your ocular muscles spasm at once and it’s quite painful. If it’s bright enough it will cause tearing as well.

If it’s a bright sunny day and I’m standing next to a large white vehicle, I quite literally cannot hold my eyes open more than a sliver and my hands instinctively come up and cover my face.