Light sensitivity solution

[Darwin]

I don’t know about you, guys, but light is just unbearable for me. I feel actual pain all the time. It is not possible for me to spend most of my time in dim light because I spend most of it reading or studying.

Somehow I found out that there were lenses designed to help relieve light sensitivity. (They are not the same as sunglasses.)
I wonder if any of you tried them. Do they actually work?
I heard about TheraSpecs and Irlen's lenses. Which one works better? Are there other alternatives?

 

[Aspychata]

So would special light boxes with a different light spectrum help you? Do you have dimmer switches so you can dim lights? I have red party bulbs, l love the glow they give. I know there is blue light and red light but not sure if you can buy bulbs. We had a light box because ex suffered from SAD, but the cat loved it. Would park his furry butt right next to the box. So cute.

 

[Streetwise]

I don’t know about you, guys, but light is just unbearable for me. I feel actual pain all the time. It is not possible for me to spend most of my time in dim light because I spend most of it reading or studying.

Somehow I found out that there were lenses designed to help relieve light sensitivity. (They are not the same as sunglasses.)
I wonder if any of you tried them. Do they actually work?
I heard about TheraSpecs and Irlen's lenses. Which one works better? Are there other alternatives?

they both look exactly the same I have different coloured sunglasses , use amber ones that have a metal frame (I break plastic!)they work for migraines ,I have grey blue ones for other times ,used to have dark green ones but can’t find them.Apparently dark green is good if your eyes are very inflamed ( used them after laser surgery for awhile )you’ll know instinctively what to do .

 

[Darwin]

So would special light boxes with a different light spectrum help you? Do you have dimmer switches so you can dim lights? I have red party bulbs, l love the glow they give. I know there is blue light and red light but not sure if you can buy bulbs. We had a light box because ex suffered from SAD, but the cat loved it. Would park his furry butt right next to the box. So cute.

Will try those, too. Thanks!

I think such bulbs or light boxes will be very helpful when at home, but I still need an alternative solution for when I’m sitting at an office or a library.

 

[Darwin]

they both look exactly the same I have different coloured sunglasses , use amber ones that have a metal frame (I break plastic!)they work for migraines ,I have grey blue ones for other times ,used to have dark green ones but can’t find them.Apparently dark green is good if your eyes are very inflamed ( used them after laser surgery for awhile )you’ll know instinctively what to do .

Those many types confuse me. I was looking for something specific for the photophobia associated with ASD.

 

[Streetwise]

Those many types confuse me. I was looking for something specific for the photophobia associated with ASD.

those glasses you were talking about usually are made for migraines ,so I don’t know how they would work for photophobia ,what i found that worked were dark green lenses ,if I wasn’t having a migraine made by Ray Ban .

 

[Streetwise]

Those many types confuse me. I was looking for something specific for the photophobia associated with ASD.

The reason I told you those is because light changes and when it does I need a different colour for different changes ,I’ve had laser surgery so my physiognomy is different to yours ,if you haven’t had it .I’m also coping with perimenopause and that changes your brain completely.

 

[Darwin]

those glasses you were talking about usually are made for migraines ,so I don’t know how they would work for photophobia ,what i found that worked were dark green lenses ,if I wasn’t having a migraine made by Ray Ban .

Both brands are claimed to work for photophobia too. What brand are your dark green lenses? Do you mean they work for photophobia or migraine? Because I don’t have migraine. Bright light (especially, fluorescent) is painful to my eyes; that’s my problem.

 

[Autistamatic]

I've worked in the optical profession for 30 years. If you could describe in more detail what causes you difficulties I might be able to direct you to a practical solution.

"light sensitivity" is just too broad to be able to help.

 

[Streetwise]

I've worked in the optical profession for 30 years. If you could describe in more detail what causes you difficulties I might be able to direct you to a practical solution.

"light sensitivity" is just too broad to be able to help.

do you know if there is such a coloured lens for anxiety caused by menopause ,I appear to be having photo issues arising from hypervigilance, the problem is I couldn’t communicate verbally ,one-to-one with an ophthalmologist !as the anxiety is just preventing me Communicating !( my GP doesn’t inspire confidence in me , i’d rather walk over hot coals )and it’s obvious the sedative I take ,is just not designed for menopause, I think some of it is also coming from lack of oxygen caused by asthma it’s shattering trying to discern if I should wear an AMBER Lens or a blue grey lens or a dark green lens ,can’t find the damn Ray Bans ,theyre in the maelStrom that is my bedroom

 

[Streetwise]

Both brands are claimed to work for photophobia too. What brand are your dark green lenses? Do you mean they work for photophobia or migraine? Because I don’t have migraine. Bright light (especially, fluorescent) is painful to my eyes; that’s my problem.

The brand name is Ray Bans ( The manufacturer used to be called Bausch and Lomb ,but it was taken over I think by a middle eastern company )but you can get dark green lenses from other manufacturers , don’t get the cheapest ones the frames are usually not very strong ,Try to get sunglasses that are blocked in at the side ,that will prevent a sudden shock from light to coming in at the side of your eyes ,I got a pair very cheaply in Australia but they don’t manufacture them now.
you can buy sunglasses that are black all the way around ,that are made for the Blind ,that might work for you ,they are very cheap ,What they look like it is something to cover over prescription spectacles.

 

[Darwin]

I've worked in the optical profession for 30 years. If you could describe in more detail what causes you difficulties I might be able to direct you to a practical solution.

"light sensitivity" is just too broad to be able to help.

Bright light is painful, especially, fluorescent light. I visited an ophthalmologist several times and he found nothing wrong other than myopia for which I wear prescription glasses, but the problem of pain and headache still persists. When I dim lights or turn them off altogether, I feel comfort.
I was recently diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, so this symptom might be because of autism.

 

[LateBloomer]

I don't go anywhere without my Maui Jims , in fact I carry two pairs in case something happens to the first . I've also had good luck with Serenghetti glasses that change according to light conditions . They get dark in the sunlight and lighten up inside . The idea is that you never have to take them off .

 

[Streetwise]

Bright light is painful, especially, fluorescent light. I visited an ophthalmologist several times and he found nothing wrong other than myopia for which I wear prescription glasses, but the problem of pain and headache still persists. When I dim lights or turn them off altogether, I feel comfort.
I was recently diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, so this symptom might be because of autism.

how recently did you visit the ophthalmologists ? you might need to have an eye test again you may have a health problem that might flag up now.

 

[Darwin]

I don't go anywhere without my Maui Jims , in fact I carry two pairs in case something happens to the first . I've also had good luck with Serenghetti glasses that change according to light conditions . They get dark in the sunlight and lighten up inside . The idea is that you never have to take them off .

Both are brands that manufacture sunglasses. This is useful for when you are outdoors, but what about indoors? I suppose you might be using non-fluorescent bulbs or light boxes? The problem is that my entire house is enlightened by fluorescent bulbs. It will take effort to change all the bulbs, so that’s why I need some other solution.

how recently did you visit the ophthalmologists ? you might need to have an eye test again you may have a health problem that might flag up now.

Last year. I regularly do lab tests and checkups every year and nothing seems abnormal. The problem I have has been there forever.
Do you know conditions that might be causing my problem which regular checkups may miss?

 

[Streetwise]

Both are brands that manufacture sunglasses. This is useful for when you are outdoors, but what about indoors? I suppose you might be using non-fluorescent bulbs or light boxes? The problem is that my entire house is enlightened by fluorescent bulbs. It will take effort to change all the bulbs, so that’s why I need some other solution.



Last year. I regularly do lab tests and checkups every year and nothing seems abnormal. The problem I have has been there forever.
Do you know conditions that might be causing my problem which regular checkups may miss?

it could be your level of anxiety is starting to affect your eyesight! also damage to the pancreas , from what I know it only really happens when you become diabetic, What level of anxiety do you have, has it changed ,is your health the same as last year ,you can be photosensitive from infection, when the infection passes it can leave you with eye damage ,lack of vitamin E can cause a problems ,lack of vitamin B causes damage to the nerves, which will also includes the optic nerve, it depends how deficient you are .

 

[Autistamatic]

Anxiety does not physiologically affect one's eyesight, though stress of all sorts can make us more psychologically sensitive in all sorts of ways.
Maui Jims are polarised sunglasses - good quality product for an off the shelf solution but very limited when it comes to Rx options.
Raybans are now made by Luxottica - an Italian frame manufacturer who are the dominant force in spectacle frames and make over half of the "designer" names you might be familiar with. They recently merged with Essilor - the world's biggest Rx lens manufacturer.
The classic tint on rayban lenses is called "G-15" - a grey-green colour which allows 15% of visible light through (LTF or Light Transmission Factor). Generically it can be supplied on Rx lenses as "grey-green 15%LTF"
There is no solution for flourescent lights other than avoidance I'm afraid. Tinted or photochromic lenses might help though. Transitions Xtractive lenses might be worth looking at. They react indoors to a degree and have a darker residual colour. I'm sensitive to flourescents and they make them a bit more bearable to me and a few other autistic people I know IRL with similar issues. Replacing flourescents wherever possible is the best solution though.

do you know if there is such a coloured lens for anxiety caused by menopause

There is no such lens I'm aware of, and no coloured lens should have any physiological effect on anxiety at all. You could try seeing an Irlen specialist who would undoubtedly recommend something, they always do. I did the training for dispensing Irlen lenses/overlays but did not feel I could do so professionally in good conscience, but if you've found it to help before, maybe they can suggest something that you would feel helped you now. Sorry I can't offer anything more concrete on that topic.

 

[Streetwise]

Anxiety does not physiologically affect one's eyesight, though stress of all sorts can make us more psychologically sensitive in all sorts of ways.
Maui Jims are polarised sunglasses - good quality product for an off the shelf solution but very limited when it comes to Rx options.
Raybans are now made by Luxottica - an Italian frame manufacturer who are the dominant force in spectacle frames and make over half of the "designer" names you might be familiar with. They recently merged with Essilor - the world's biggest Rx lens manufacturer.
The classic tint on rayban lenses is called "G-15" - a grey-green colour which allows 15% of visible light through (LTF or Light Transmission Factor). Generically it can be supplied on Rx lenses as "grey-green 15%LTF"
There is no solution for flourescent lights other than avoidance I'm afraid. Tinted or photochromic lenses might help though. Transitions Xtractive lenses might be worth looking at. They react indoors to a degree and have a darker residual colour. I'm sensitive to flourescents and they make them a bit more bearable to me and a few other autistic people I know IRL with similar issues. Replacing flourescents wherever possible is the best solution though.



There is no such lens I'm aware of, and no coloured lens should have any physiological effect on anxiety at all. You could try seeing an Irlen specialist who would undoubtedly recommend something, they always do. I did the training for dispensing Irlen lenses/overlays but did not feel I could do so professionally in good conscience, but if you've found it to help before, maybe they can suggest something that you would feel helped you now. Sorry I can't offer anything more concrete on that topic.

No it’s something to meditate on you’ve given me more time than the NHS ever does

 

[tducey]

Light is really something that has never bothered me unless the light is turned on to quick.

 

[Yeshuasdaughter]

I am sensitive to light too! Often when relatives come and visit me, the first thing they do is shout an exasperated "Wow, open some blinds, turn on a light, anything! It's so dark in here! How do you see a thing?"