Migraines are more than just headaches. They’re intense, debilitating, and can significantly impact the quality of life for the 4.9 million Australians who suffer from them.
Understanding the causes of your migraines and how to mitigate them is essential for good health and wellbeing. One potential solution involves the use of specialised lenses – sometimes referred to as “migraine glasses.” In Australia, these glasses are becoming increasingly popular among migraine sufferers.
What Causes Migraines?
Migraines can be triggered by a number of factors including stress, hormonal changes, sensory stimuli, and device use. For many, light sensitivity, or photophobia, is a significant trigger. This sensitivity to light can exacerbate the pain and discomfort associated with migraines – leading sufferers to seek refuge in dark, quiet rooms.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for migraines, however there are treatments that may help prevent their onset, alleviate the symptoms, and take control of your life.
How Can Migraine Glasses Help?
Blocking certain harmful lights from the eyes has been proven to help relieve pain for many occasional and chronic migraine sufferers (1).
The lenses for migraine glasses are designed to filter out specific wavelengths of light that are known to be a trigger, and they can be made according to your prescription, if you have one.
Options for migraine glasses in Australia include:
- FL-41 Rose-Tinted Lenses
There may be some truth to the saying, ‘seeing the world through rose-coloured glasses’! FL-41 lenses come in a rose hue and are designed to block certain wavelengths of blue and green light that are particularly troublesome for many migraine sufferers – including sunlight, fluorescent light, and the blue light from digital screens. They also help minimise glare, providing a more comfortable visual experience.
Studies show FL-41 tint glasses for migraine may reduce light sensitivity and pain (2) and with regular wear, may help prevent the onset of migraines long-term for children. (3)
- Avulux Lenses
Lens technology is constantly evolving with new research, and we’re particularly excited to be one of just a handful of Australian independent optometrists now offering Avulux migraine glasses here at Aphrodite Livanes.
Avulux lenses are designed to filter out up to 97% of the harmful blue, amber and red light that is known to worsen migraine attacks – while allowing a soothing wavelength of green light in.
Created by physicians and engineers, this seemingly simple solution involves placing Avulux lenses in standard spectacle frames. They can be worn continuously by those with chronic migraine, or upon the onset of symptoms – a much better alternative than having to escape to a dark room! Early studies show that these specially tinted lenses help to reduce pain and light sensitivity (4,5), the most troublesome symptoms reported by migraine sufferers.
- Blue Light Filtering
Blue light affects the production of melatonin, a hormone that fosters sleep – and too much of it can lead to eye strain. Unfortunately, today we’re exposed to excessive blue light emitted by digital screens and fluorescent lighting. Lenses that filter out blue light may help reduce eye strain (6) and some wearers have reported that they have helped relieve headaches associated with device use. However, further research is needed into the effectiveness of blue light blocking lenses for reducing migraines.
What about Contact Lenses for Migraines?
In some cases, specially tinted contact lenses may be prescribed to help block harmful light and relieve your migraine symptoms. Speak to our experienced optometrists to discuss the best approach for your situation.
Choosing the Right Migraine Glasses
At Aphrodite Livanes Optometrists, we are committed to finding you eyecare solutions that support your overall health and comfort. If migraines are impacting your life – book an eye test with our Brisbane optometrists today and let’s investigate whether migraine glasses could be right for you.
References:
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0333102420956711
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002939423005123
- https://headachejournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1526-4610.1991.hed3108533.x
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5510464/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0967586823000954
- https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0194218