Fear of opening your eyes (optophobia)

Optophobia is a fear of opening your eyes. It may be linked to a worry about what you might see, or to discomfort with light. If bright light hurts your eyes or you have any trouble opening them, see a GP or optician to rule out a physical cause.

About this phobia

The term is usually linked to the Greek ops, meaning eye or sight. It is rare, has little clinical evidence behind it and appears mainly on lists of phobias. It is different from photophobia, the medical term for sensitivity to light.

How it shows up

Optophobia is one of the rarer fears on lists of phobias, and it can be hard to separate from physical problems. Some people dread opening their eyes in the morning because of what they might see, while others fear light or the sense of being exposed. The fear may be stronger in certain situations, such as waking in the dark, after a nightmare or in medical settings. Because eye problems can cause similar feelings, a check-up is always a sensible first step.

Common triggers

• Waking up suddenly in the night
• Bright sunlight or harsh indoor lighting
• Being in a dark, unfamiliar room
• Worry about seeing something frightening
• Eye tests and eye examinations
• Horror films or scary images

Where it shows up

• Bedrooms first thing in the morning
• GP, optician and hospital appointments
• Hotel rooms and other unfamiliar places
• Bright, sunny days outdoors
• Under the shower when water runs near the face

Symptoms

In your body

• Squeezing eyes shut
• Racing heart
• Shallow breathing
• Tense face

In your mind

• Fear of what is there
• Feeling exposed
• Wanting to stay in the dark

What you might do

• Keeping eyes closed for long periods
• Covering eyes with hands
• Avoiding bright places
• Wearing sunglasses indoors

What may cause it

There is very little evidence about this fear, so any cause is a best guess. It may grow from a frightening sight, an eye problem that once made light painful, or a wider fear of the dark or of being watched. Some people describe it after a run of nightmares, when opening the eyes in the night felt risky. Keeping the eyes closed can soothe in the moment, but it makes opening them feel like a bigger step each time.

How it can affect your life

It can make mornings slow and tense, and affect travel, driving and medical care. People may also feel tired, strained or cut off if they avoid light or keep their eyes shut for long spells. It can be hard to explain to others, which can add to feeling alone.

Related fears

• Fear of the dark (nyctophobia)
• Fear of light
• Fear of eyes (ommetaphobia)
• Fear of seeing frightening things

Things that can help day to day

• Open your eyes slowly in dim light while breathing calmly
• Keep a soft lamp by the bed so mornings start gently
• Name out loud a few things you can see, to remind yourself where you are
• Practise in safe, familiar rooms first before trying new places

When to get help

If bright light hurts or you have trouble opening your eyes, see a GP or optician to rule out a physical cause.

Explore more unusual fears in the rare phobias A to Z, or browse the common phobias.

About me

Common questions

Is optophobia the same as photophobia?

No. Photophobia is a medical symptom where light causes discomfort, while optophobia describes a fear of opening the eyes. Because the two can be confused, any eye pain or light sensitivity is worth checking with a GP.

How can you help?

I use hypnotherapy and NLP to change how your mind responds to the thing you fear, so the old alarm stops going off. Sessions are one to one over Zoom, and you get a recording of the hypnosis to listen to afterwards.

How many sessions will I need?

Many clients notice a real difference after one 90 minute session. If the fear goes back a long way, three sessions gives us room to make the change stick.

Further reading: Cleveland Clinic: Nyctophobia (fear of the dark) · Healthline: Ommetaphobia (fear of eyes) · NHS: Phobias

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