What is a common symptom indicating sensitivity to light in meningitis patients?

Photophobia is a common symptom indicating sensitivity to light in patients with meningitis. This condition is characterized by an increased sensitivity to light, which can cause significant discomfort or pain when exposed to bright environments. In meningitis, photophobia arises as a result of meningeal irritation and increased intracranial pressure, which can lead to this heightened sensitivity.

Other symptoms often associated with meningitis include headache, fever, and stiffness of the neck, along with neurologic signs that can further exacerbate discomfort in response to light. Photophobia is an important clinical indicator that can help healthcare providers identify and assess the severity of meningitis.

The other options, while related to vision and light sensitivity, do not specifically represent the primary symptom associated with meningitis in the same way. For instance, diplopia refers to double vision, which is not directly linked to light sensitivity. Visual acuity loss describes a decrease in the clarity of vision and may or may not be present in meningitis cases. Nyctalopia, or night blindness, is a different condition altogether, characterized by difficulty seeing in low light conditions and is not directly related to the symptoms of meningitis.