Glasses for light sensitivity, photophobia and migraines

[Gaccha]

Migraine/light sensitivity glasses

 

There is little written on the forum about this so I thought I would provide details. Many people suffering from light sensitivity might not even have thoughts that anything much can be done about it except for perhaps some sunglasses. 

 

Some people suffering from extreme cases practically turn into vampires in that they avoid going outside, wear sunglasses indoors, and keep their curtains closed at all times.

 

In the harsh tropical sunlight of Thailand many Whites will suffer because their eyes are more suited to the gentler sunlight of Europe. Those with extremely strong cases of photophobia may experience migraines. I get them quite a bit and I certainly am quite sensitive to the sunlight. Possibly as bad is the fluorescent lighting. I have noticed that the lighting on the MRT and in shopping malls is particularly harsh for my eyes. 

 

I would be interested to know how Thai hospitals are geared towards this issue. I have set out below the options which can be obtained by delivery over the internet.

 

Option 1
 Blue blocking glasses. 
Only have minimal effect on migraines as only removes blue light up to around 500 nm. Will mostly help people looking at their computer screen a lot, but will not help much with light sensitivity problems.

 

Option 2
 FL41 lense. 
This is the first solution with eyewear to migraines. It originates from the 1990s.
It blocks the bad blue light at the higher 530 nm wavelength mark. This is a big improvement on the blue blocking glasses. But does not block the almost as annoying red-amber light. 
'Smile migraine' in Chiang Mai mail order FL41 glasses via Lazada. It is the only option via Lazada or Shopee. There are also a very large number of options from Amazon. They are roughly $60. 

 

Option 3 
 FL41 plus. 
This includes brands such as Theraspec. They target more than the wavelength dealt with by the FL-41 but they still allow too much light through the lens. They are around $120. 
 
 Option 4 
 Relief glasses. 
These are glasses designed as a blunt solution to deal with an ongoing migraine. They cannot be worn long term because they keep out too much light (they only let in high wavelength red light or cut out almost everything) and your eyes will become too sensitive to light in the future, or they are so dark you might simply not even be able to see where you are going. Somnilight red relief lens is an example of this. These are often pretty cheap around $30 or maybe $40.

 

Option 5 
 Perfect solution. 
Avulux and Axon provide a lens which precisely deals with the problem of bad blue light and bad red light and goes to the extreme to keep them out but ensures enough soothing green light gets in. The major problem is the incredible cost and they do not deliver prescription style glasses to Thailand. The price comes in at around $380. 

 

Extra
Quirky Relief glasses.
Migralens uses an odd green lens, Which is a sophisticated version of the relief lens styles. It cannot be worn constantly but should provide great relief. This contrasts with the normal relief glasses which have a more blunt solution of blocking out everything but high wavelength red light. Around $60. 

 

With all of these solutions there is typically an indoor version and an outdoor version. Also with the solutions there is typically a prescription version possible and a non-prescription version.

 

You'll also find that if you look on the scientific literature in this topic it is far from settled science. Each manufacturer claims a slightly different story from the other. All, of course, claim their product is the best. I have tried my best to differentiate them given the scientific literature I have found.

 

Here are the wavelength diagrams that the optic manufacturers use to display the differences between their glasses. There are three critical issues to consider: soothing green light at ~550 nm, harsh blue light up to ~530 and harsh amber-red light.

 

 

 

 

Godspeed to all the sensitive folks!

[scubascuba3]

Interesting read, I'm sensitive to light sometimes, visual disturbance then aura migraine, not the same every time. Yesterday with the pollution whilst playing golf, the light was very unusual not sure how i avoided a migraine.  As they are maybe once a month often during low pressure weather i just accept it

Edited February 2, 2023 by scubascuba3

[Gaccha]

Big news this week so I felt I should bump this thread.

 

Zenni, who many of you use, have just released a range of migraine relief glasses of the FL-41 type. 

 

They are really competitive with the more specialist manufacturers. You can easily get a pair for around $90. And with a wide variety of frames and crucially, the typical cheap prescriptions that Zenni offer. $90 for prescription plus FL-41 tech is a bargain.

Edited July 31, 2023 by Gaccha