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Photophobia Glasses: Light Sensitivity Relief
Do you find yourself needing to wear sunglasses regularly—even indoors? You're not alone. Many people are unaware that the use of sunglasses indoors could make your light sensitivity much worse, and it's actually not the most effective way to treat light sensitivity.
The solution? Photophobia glasses.
Natural Photophobia Relief for Light-Sensitive Eyes
In the migraine medical community, the most effective way to measure the efficacy of migraine treatments is with a clinically validated tool called HIT-6 (Headache Impact Test). Most of our competitors are satisfied with just user reviews—not us!
After hundreds of survey participants (and eight long years), we're happy to report these amazing results from our customers.
88% of users saw a reduction in light impact
87% of users saw a reduction in headache impact
38% decrease in light sensitivity impact
24% fewer headaches
Wearing Sunglasses Indoors? Bad Idea.
Many people with light sensitivity often pose the question—Couldn't I just wear my regular sunglasses indoors? On the surface, it makes a lot of sense, especially because wearing sunglasses indoors often results in immediate photophobia relief.
But there's a catch.
A 2015 study published in Elsevier Survey of Ophthalmology concluded that wearing sunglasses indoors must be strongly discouraged. Over time, your eyes become adapted to the dark, which progressively increases your light intolerance.
In the long-term, even normal light conditions will be aggravatingly sensitive. A normally lit room—one that's never given you trouble in the past—could be equivalent to walking out of a pitch-black movie on a sunny day at noon.
What are Photophobia Glasses?
Photophobia glasses utilize a 30-year-old technology called FL-41. FL-41 is a special tint that blocks certain wavelengths of light that science has recently found to trigger migraines and exacerbate photophobia symptoms.
Axon Optics took the old technology, refined and tweaked it over the course of 20 years, and finally paired it with over 18 layers of coating to ensure they stay effective for many years to come.
Axon Optics provides the best glasses for people with light sensitivity.
Same Tech. Different Results.
Even though all FL-41 lenses stem from the same technology created over 30 years ago, they aren't all the same. Not even close. And they aren't equally as effective at relieving light sensitivity and photophobia.
Lenses from different vendors were put to the test in a research project at the University of Utah. The study found wide variations in the quality, lens color, spectral characteristics, and optical densities of lenses purchased from different optical shops and laboratories.
This news should make your ears perk up! It means if you don't buy your photophobia glasses from a trusted vendor, you may not find any light sensitivity relief at all!
Why Axon Optics Photophobia Glasses?
- Created by a neuro-ophthalmologist and researcher named Dr. Bradley J. Katz, who has been treating patients for over 20 years.
- Designed out of a lab at the University of Utah’s Moran Eye Center.
- Multiple lens options including indoor, outdoor, and transition lenses.
- Include an advanced anti-glare coating to prevent light from reflecting off of the backside of the lens into your eye—reduces smudges, fingerprints, and scratches.
- Proprietary rose-tinted lenses have tested to be significantly better than generic FL-41 offered by most optical shops.
Frames for Every Scenario
Standard Protection
Blocks a majority of light
Peripheral Protection
Slight curve blocks additional peripheral light
Max Protection
Curved lenses, frame, and inner gasket provide maximum protection from light.
Prescription Protection
This style frame fits over prescriptions frames.
Raving Reviews
Love my Axon glasses!
"These glasses have made being outside so much more pleasant! I no longer have headaches and light sensitivity and they look great! I am so happy we discovered Axon!" - Carla J.
These are FANTASTIC!
"These glasses are honestly LIFE CHANGING. I never fully realized how sensitive I am to the light until I started wearing these. My eyes no longer feel like they are going to explode by the end of my work day. I’ve also started wearing them while watching tv and playing video games and my eyes don’t feel as tired when I’m done now. " - Malissa H.
15+ migraine days to 2-3
"These glasses are the only way I can make it through work, my migaines are triggered w/in 5 minutes in harsh indoor LED lights without them - but I can make it all day with them and went from 15+ migraine days/month to 2-3!" - Maureen J.
Risk-Free Light Sensitivity Relief
We wouldn't want you to keep something that doesn't work for you! If you don't find any natural photophobia and light sensitivity relief with our glasses, please send them back to us within 30 days to get a refund.
Photophobia and Light Sensitivity Glasses FAQs
Each individual is unique and is likely to experience symptoms differently based on the underlying cause. Light sensitivity symptoms may include:
- Sensitivity to light
- Pain or discomfort
- Headache
- Nausea
- Excessive squinting or blinking
- Burning sensation
- Excessive tearing
Light sensitivity is not a condition of the eye, rather it’s a symptom of one. Eyes that are inflamed or infected can become sensitive to light. If you stay in a dark room and walk into a lit area you may experience temporary light sensitivity.
Some of the more common causes of light sensitivity include:
Migraine – Migraine is not just a headache, it is a neurological condition that is marked by severe head pain, nausea, vomiting, vision disturbances, and light sensitivity.
Dry Eye – This happens when your eyes do not produce adequate tears for lubrication. This can be a very uncomfortable condition and light sensitivity is often a significant symptom.
Eye Fatigue – Your eyes are just like other parts of your body; if you use them too much, they become tired. Straining to see when reading and working on a computer or digital device for a long time are two common causes of eye fatigue. It can cause eyes to itch, hurt, and be sensitive to light.
Preeclampsia – A complication of pregnancy, this potentially life-threatening condition causes dangerously high blood pressure which can affect and injure the organs. Sometimes the retina becomes damaged as a result of the hypertension and this can cause light sensitivity along with other serious symptoms.
Concussion – This is a form of traumatic brain injury that is typically the result of a blow to the head. Though the effects are usually temporary, they may not be noticed right away. Light sensitivity may be one of those symptoms that suddenly appear but typically is not a long term problem.
Allergies – When you come into contact with an allergen it can wreak havoc with your eyes. Dust mites, pollen, animal dander, and mold are very common allergens that can cause your eyes to water, itch, burn, and be very sensitive to light.
Keratoconus – Normal corneas are typically round, but people with this condition have corneas that are cone-shaped. This can cause a host of eye problems, including vision distortion and light sensitivity.
Keratitis – This is a broad term to describe an inflammation of the cornea. It can be caused by bacteria, a virus, or for wearing your contacts for too long. Despite the cause, light sensitivity is often a primary symptom.
Sensory Processing Disorder – SPD is a neurological condition in which the brain is not able to process certain stimuli. It is not a recognized medical diagnosis on its own; it often accompanies autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Downs Syndrome, and other conditions. When the brain is not able to effectively receive and respond to the information from the senses like touch, sight, or hearing, it can cause discomfort. In the case of visual SPD, light sensitivity is a very common symptom.
Uveitis – This is a broad term that describes several diseases of the eye that cause severe inflammation. They can destroy the eye tissue. Uveitis can be caused by multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and other health conditions, but it can also be caused by an eye infection. Vision can be affected, and it may cause pain and redness as well as light sensitivity.
Corneal abrasion – Simply put, a corneal abrasion is a scratch or cut on the eye. Foreign objects that get in your eye, even tiny specks like sand or dirt, can cause a painful abrasion. The eye is usually very sensitive to light, but other symptoms may include blurred vision, redness, headache, tearing, and the sensation that something is in your eye.
There are many reasons you may be sensitive to light. If it comes on suddenly or if you have other symptoms you should see a doctor. It could mean that you have a more serious health condition like meningitis, mercury poisoning, or botulism.
Axon Optics photophobia glasses are designed to block wavelengths most commonly associated with triggering photophobia symptoms without blocking other types of light so vision remains clear and unimpeded.
In a nutshell, light sensitivity glasses reduce exposure to the wavelengths most likely to cause photophobia reactions.
Our lenses can provide patients with a simple method of reducing the likelihood of migraines and other light-mediated symptoms.
Also, they ensure you get the light-filtering technology you need without impairing vision or causing other issues like blurry vision, eye strain, or headaches.
Photophobia glasses have a special lens that blocks the wavelengths that are known to trigger light sensitivity symptoms but allow other types of light to filter through. This reduces the wearer’s exposure to those wavelengths that are most likely to cause light-triggered symptoms while allowing them to see clearly.
On the visible spectrum of light, the human eye responds to wavelengths that are from 380 to 740 nanometers. This is also where the pure colors (a single wavelength) reside. Certain colors that are unsaturated (purple, pink, etc.) don’t appear, because multiple wavelengths are required to create them.
The seven pure spectral colors are listed below. What has been determined through research is that the wavelengths around 480 and 590 tend to be the most problematic for people with photophobia.
- Violet – 380-450 nm
- Blue – 450-485 nm
- Cyan – 485-500 nm
- Green – 500-565 nm
- Yellow – 565-590 nm
- Orange – 590-625 nm
- Red – 625-740 nm
Most people with photophobia have an underlying condition. Migraine, chronic headaches, chronic dry eye, blepharospasm (involuntary closing of the eyelids), and brain injuries are conditions associated with photophobia.1
For example, research has shown patients with migraines are more sensitive to light, and those who suffer from migraines and some other types of chronic headaches tend to have a lower tolerance of bright light. The following are the most common conditions causing photophobia:
Other potential causes of photophobia include:
- Acute inflammation in the eye (iritis or uveitis)
- Contact lens irritations or poor fit
- Corneal abrasion or ulcer
- Eye injury, disease or infection (such as glaucoma)
- Eye surgery or eye exams where dilating eye drops are used
- Medications; photophobia is a potential side effect of some treatments
- Meningitis
It's relatively rare for a patient to visit an eye doctor “simply” as a result of light sensitivity; instead, photophobic symptoms are usually revealed during an exam scheduled for another issue, such as eye discomfort, blurry vision, migraine, or migraine aura (sometimes called ocular migraine).
During the exam, it's important to mention any issues with light sensitivity, including sensitivity that occurs only in the presence of certain types of light such as fluorescent lights since these lights are more likely to induce photophobic symptoms.
Many photophobic patients have fewer symptoms in natural light compared to indoor lighting, a difference that can aid in making a diagnosis of photophobia.
There are ways to get some relief from light sensitivity. Light filtering lenses that are specifically designed for blocking certain types of light that are known to cause a sensitivity to light can help tremendously. You should also look at what is causing the problem. For instance, if you have dry eye you can get drops and treat that in addition to treating the light sensitivity issue.
A hat or cap with a brim can provide some shade from the light when you are outdoors. Inside, you should avoid fluorescent lights if possible. If you use a computer, control the brightness and dim it as needed. Use incandescent light bulbs when possible. They provide softer, more natural light so they should be easier on the eyes.
If light sensitivity is a problem for you, Axon Optics has solutions. Our line of light sensitivity glasses are specially tinted to significantly reduce glare, bringing you fast relief. We have several stylish frames for men, women, and kids and tinting for indoors as well as out. Visit our website today and find the light sensitivity glasses that are right for you.
