Migraine-related light sensitivity can be debilitating
Do you struggle with migraine-related light sensitivity? If you do, you are not alone. Up to 85% of individuals with migraine experience photophobia during and even between attacks 1,2,3. For those with light sensitivity, it can be one of the most isolating migraine symptoms as it often forces us to retreat to a dark room. Unfortunately, pharmacological management of migraine can be ineffective at mitigating light sensitivity.
Why are people with migraine sensitive to light?
In a study measuring electrical signals in the retina and visual cortex, compared to healthy controls, people with migraine had a significantly larger amplitude of retinal signal 4. This suggests that the hypersensitivity to light in people with migraine may originate in the retina. Furthermore, for those with migraine, light not only intensifies pain, but can also trigger the perception of chest tightness, shortness of breath, light- headedness, dry mouth, irritability, sadness, and fear (among other aversive symptoms identified) 5. Thus, effective management of migraine-related light sensitivity holds immense promise for reducing migraine symptoms and improving quality of life.
Green light is good – here’s why
Research suggests that a narrow band of green light not only reduces total migraine attack days, but also reduces light-induced migraine pain.
In a small one-way clinical trial with 22 migraine patients, researchers showed that “green light-emitting diodes resulted in a significant decrease in headache days from 7.9 ± 1.6 to 2.4 ± 1.1, and from 22.3 ± 1.2 to 9.4 ± 1.6 in episodic migraine and chronic migraine patients, respectively”6.
In another study of 69 people, green light exacerbated migraine significantly less than white, blue, amber, or red light 7. This study also provided evidence for a physiological explanation, revealing that the brain’s activity level in response to green light is significantly reduced compared to the activity level in response to blue, amber, and red light.
The conclusions of these studies are that filtering out all but green light may prove beneficial for the reduction of photophobia and potentially the migraine attack frequency.
The science behind Avulux
Enter Avulux, the first patented lens technology made specifically to address the light sensitivity associated with migraine. Avulux lenses filter up to 97% of blue, amber, and red light, while allowing in over 70% of green light to pass through. Avulux has been tested in three independent clinical trials and is a classified medical device in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union countries, and a general wellness device in the USA.
You can read more about the science of Avulux here: https://avulux.com/pages/understanding-the-science-behind-avulux-migraine-glasses.
Avulux clinical trial results
In an independent, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comparing Avulux to a clear placebo, the following results were obtained from from an analysis of the population that included all headaches with baseline pain score of 2-10, where the study glasses were applied within 1 hour of symptom onset. The pain score was recorded between one and three hours after symptom onset, and abortive medications were not taken:
- Subjects wearing Avulux showed a statistically significant reduction in headache pain at two hours after migraine symptom onset when compared to placebo (a reduction on a 0 to 10 pain scale of 2.29 vs 1.13).
- 72% of subjects wearing Avulux reported no light sensitivity at two hours after symptom onset versus 52% of subjects wearing the placebo.
Results suggest that Avulux is highly effective at reducing light sensitivity and pain compared to non-light blocking lenses.
My experience with Avulux vs. other migraine glasses
I’ll be the first to admit that I was skeptical. Before trying Avulux, I had already purchased a series of “migraine” glasses including pairs from Axon Optics and Theraspecs, but experienced minimal relief. Additionally, most “migraine” glasses use an FL-41, rose-colored tint that produces a color distortion I find to be unpleasant.
The good news is that Avulux is different! The Avulux migraine glasses do not have a simple blue light blocking lens, nor do they use the typical FL-41 tint. Their patented lens is designed to precisely and effectively absorb the harmful wavelengths of red, amber and blue light. They also do not have a rose-colored tint so you can wear them indoors and outdoors without color distortion.
You can read more on the comparison between Avulux and other migraine glasses here: https://avulux.com/pages/migraine-light-sensitivity-photophobia-glasses-comparison
How I use Avulux
Avulux is the first pair of migraine glasses that I actually wear on a daily basis. I work full time and 95% of my job requires me to stare at a computer. Before Avulux I would struggle with immense eye strain and migraine-like pain by the end of my day. Now I wear Avulux whenever I am using my computer and can continue working late into the day without any sensitivity. The lenses are also minimally tinted and do not have the color distortion that I found with so many other glasses (see photo above)!
One of the most surprising uses of Avulux for me has been while driving (though they aren’t technically suitable for driving due to their precise filtration properties). I really struggle to drive at night regardless of if I am having an attack or not. The high contrast between the LED headlights of oncoming cars and the darkness triggers searing eye and head pain. I used to drive at night with sunglasses on, which is obviously a safety hazard given the significant reduction in visibility. Thankfully, I now rely on Avulux, which gives me protection against the flood of pain due to oncoming headlights while also allowing me to retain visibility.
I agree with the statement that Avulux has made – If you haven’t tried Avulux, you haven’t tried migraine glasses. That has certainly been my experience and I hope everyone who struggles with migraine-related light sensitivity tries Avulux.
Ready to try Avulux?
The best news is that you can try them for 60 days risk-free. Love them or send them back. You can use my discount code for $25 off – ‘lifewithmigraine‘.
References
- Morillo LE, Alarcon F, Aranaga N, et al. Clinical characteristics and patterns of medication use of Migraneurs in Latin America from 12 cities in 6 countries. Headache 2005;45:118e26.
- Aygul R, Deniz O, Kocak N, et al. The clinical properties of a migrainous population in Eastern Turkey-Erzurum. Southampt Med J 2005;98:23e7.
- Main A, Dowson A, Gross M. Photophobia and phonophobia in migraineurs between attacks. Headache 1997;37:492e5.
- Bernstein, C. A., Nir, R. R., Noseda, R., Fulton, A. B., Huntington, S., Lee, A. J., … & Burstein, R. (2019). The migraine eye: distinct rod-driven retinal pathways’ response to dim light challenges the visual cortex hyperexcitability theory. Pain, 160(3), 569.
- Noseda, R., Lee, A. J., Nir, R. R., Bernstein, C. A., Kainz, V. M., Bertisch, S. M., … & Burstein, R. (2017). Neural mechanism for hypothalamic-mediated autonomic responses to light during migraine. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114(28), E5683-E5692.
- Martin, L. F., Patwardhan, A. M., Jain, S. V., Salloum, M. M., Freeman, J., Khanna, R., … & Ibrahim, M. M. (2021). Evaluation of green light exposure on
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