Abnormal brain function in photophobic patients with dry eye disease: An fMRI study.

The current data shows that DED patients with photophobia have maladaptive brain anomalies. There is hyperactivity in the cortical visual system, associated with abnormal functional interactions, both within the visual cortex, and between visual areas and salience control mechanisms. Such anomalies show similarities with other conditions such as tinnitus, hyperacusis, and neuropathic pain. Those findings support novel neurally oriented methods for the care of patients with photophobia.