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There are many eyewear choices for Migraineurs who suffer light sensitivity (photophobia). Some Migraineurs like me have become sensitive to light of varying degrees on a constant basis. Others suffer sensitivity only during the time of a Migraine attack. Which one are you?
When I looked for eyewear to help my super-sensitive eyes I didn’t research my choices, which was a real mistake for me. I suffered several years as a result of this mistake. Finding out a few important facts was a key to me being much more comfortable in my daily life.
So, let’s talk about colored lenses:
Many people will find that certain colors are better for their light sensitivity and even their ability to read comfortably. Some find that certain colors are more likely to trigger a Migraine attack too. Learning which colors are best for you is not all that difficult, however trying on various shades and colors of sunglasses at the local department store may yield some clues, but it’s unlikely you will find a full range of colors, and this can be really important for us.
Certain colors actually influence how our brains function. Just as red flashing light can trigger seizures in epileptic patients, specific colors can trigger Migraine and other headache disorders – or calm the brain – depending on the way your specific brain works. Researchers don’t yet completely understand why or how color influences our brains. Did you know colored lenses have even been used to help dyslexic patients see and read, and have been shown to help autistic patients? Different colors filter out distracting light waves and help the brain process information in different ways. This is fascinating stuff!
Irlen Syndrome is a fairly new term being used for light sensitivity. There is a whole site dedicated to the topic and discussion of Irlen Syndrome, and the site ReadingAndLight.com includes a self test and links to the Irlen self test to see if you might benefit from colored lenses. Not all Migraineurs are going to have this syndrome, but many will. Even if you do not have Irlen Syndrome, if you have light sensitivity related to Migraine you may also be able to benefit from colored lenses, contacts or overlays. The site notes that in a small preliminary study including 21 physician diagnosed Migraineurs, over 80% reported decreased frequency and severity of their Migraine attacks.
There are many videos on the site that explain how color influences the brain, and gives the stories of many who use the lenses. Here is a cute video that describes Irlen Syndrome and the way light sensitivity is diagnosed and treated. Irlen Syndrome – A Teen’s Summary
After testing, the Irlen Institute will tint your regular lenses to your specific color prescription. They can even tint contact lenses! They also provide lots of interesting information on living well with light sensitivity as well as helpful products that Migraineurs may find useful.
For me, I find that I need a brownish lens. For whatever reason, when I put them on, it feels like walking into a darkened room, even though I can see. My eyes almost feel like they are relaxing. My family noticed right away how much better I felt when I changed the color of my lenses from grey which darkened my vision, but did not make me feel much better. The fluorescent lights don’t bother me as much, and an added bonus is that I’m actually able to see better while driving through rain and snow storms, and even at night. The brown lens cuts the glare significantly.
Have you tried lenses with different colors? Have you ever considered tinted contacts to help with day to day light sensitivity?
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Migraine.com (Thu, 14 Apr 2011 15:13:28 +0000): With the change in seasons (and spring sunshine!) we've had a lot of questions about sunglasses for migraineurs who are sensitive to light. This article has some great recommendations you may find to be helpful!
Janice Odom DZierra (Thu, 14 Apr 2011 15:28:39 +0000): Will try brown now. Thanks. I woke up with a migraine. Anything that may help is worth a try.
Amy Quinn (Thu, 14 Apr 2011 15:30:53 +0000): having sunglasses on just hurts my head worse, kind of like how a ponytail hurts. i just squint a lot, have the wrinkle inbetween my eyebrows to prove it haha
Joy Perez (Thu, 14 Apr 2011 17:03:52 +0000): thanks for the info b/c i will be getting new prescription glasses and sunglasses soon! the sun often makes my head worse or triggers a migraine, therefore, im not outside as often as i'd like to be.
Jerri Ross Stamps (Thu, 14 Apr 2011 17:29:41 +0000): My neurologist recommended the darkest shade of sunglasses that I could find. When in a car (driving or riding), the glare off of vehicle glass and chrome bother me immensely, and even in a restraunt, I can not sit by a window that's close to a parking lot.
Val Milo (Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:35:34 +0000): darker the better for me too, all types of glare kill.
Tonia Mcintosh (Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:51:22 +0000): My problem is my prescrition glasses are tinted I always get them tinted, but they arent dark enough for me when im outside, and my eye doc. wants me to wear my glasses all the time b/c of my astigmatism. so that leaves me with the problem of not having enough protection to avoid a migraine, or wearing my dark shades and ignoring my eye doc. and making my eyesight worse. which isn't really a hard decision, cause i don't go outside without my shades. lol... Its ashame to say but i'd rather be half blind, without a migraine, than to have perfect vision and feel like someone is drilling through my eye, and bashing me on the head with a louieville slugger at the same time. hahahah...
Michelle Brimtown (Thu, 14 Apr 2011 21:24:49 +0000): Anyone try cocoons sunglasses? They go over Rx glasses and come w/ different tint colors. I'm thinking about it, have read somewhere before that filtering out blue light can help with migraines. I have transition lenses and astigmatism also. My frames are plastic, and sort of loose fitting. Can't stand wearing glasses that actually fit when I have a headache going on.
Allison Brodeur (Thu, 14 Apr 2011 22:57:47 +0000): The cocoons sunglasses look like a great option. I'm interested if anyone has tried them too. I often wear regular big sunglasses over my prescription ones and also alone when in bed with a migraine. They don't seem too expensive and look more comfortable. I might try to check them out at a dealer in my area.
Teri Robert (Fri, 15 Apr 2011 03:49:29 +0000): My ophthalmologist recommended that I also make sure my sunglasses are polarized. It really helps with the glare. I have them tinted the darkest gray possible and polarized.
Jill Oglesby Dehlin (Fri, 08 Jul 2011 15:57:13 +0000): I was one of the 11 migraineurs participating in the study on colored lenses for migraineurs (published May 26 2011 in Cephalagia). I chose my lens color by looking through a colorometer while looking at an object that is known to cause visual stress in migrianeurs - a black and white striped pattern. I looked at this pattern through every color imaginable. Then I spent time in fMRI looking at the same pattern, with different color lenses, including the one I selected. Cortical stimulation was decreased when I looked at the pattern with the colored lens I had selected. I think the TAKE HOME MESSAGE is NOT to choose a color that worked for someone else, but to take the time to choose one that is most calming for YOU.
Tamara R. Pearlman (Fri, 08 Jul 2011 19:18:40 +0000): What color worked for you? Or, did any. How neat to have been chosen for such a test. Hope the headaches are better; however I can't help believe that they are a remnant of your "disease" you dealt with. Cellular memory and stress...thanks for sharing Jill!
Linell Thompson (Fri, 08 Jul 2011 20:48:15 +0000): Have the colored lenses helped?
Steven McCormick (Sat, 09 Jul 2011 01:51:40 +0000): I just read about this remarkable break through in Israel this morning.Jill Oglesby Dehlin (Sat, 09 Jul 2011 02:25:37 +0000): Sheesh. I forgot to say that the color that worked best for me was blue. 
Char Baker (Sat, 22 Oct 2011 02:31:09 +0000): Jodi Marie Baker...I read this tonight and thought about you.....check it out.
Karen Mullins (Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:44:33 +0000): sunglasses ALWAYS!
Steven Leninski (Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:46:51 +0000): gold
Danielle Turney (Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:15:25 +0000): I found the perfect sunglasses for me, they are black tinted and have a foam type padding that blocks out any kind of light. I can't go out anywhere without them. As for the red flashing lights triggering epileptic seizures, any color of flashing lights trigger my migraines. I have to leave places that have strobe lights or flashing lights; like at concerts, clubs, WEDDINGS and there area even signs along freeways that trigger my migraines. I am super sensitive to light even when I am not experiencing a migraine, sun light can set me off.
"My migraines, when at their worst would have me throwing up and unable to really focus or concentrate. I used to still go into work sometimes having to pull over and throw up on the side of the road." 
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I was one of the 11 migraineurs participating in the study on colored lenses for migraineurs (published May 26 2011 in Cephalagia). I chose my lens color by looking through a colorometer while looking at an object that is known to cause visual stress in migrianeurs – a black and white striped pattern. I looked at this pattern through every color imaginable. Then I spent time in fMRI looking at the same pattern, with different color lenses, including the one I selected. Cortical stimulation was decreased when I looked at the pattern with the colored lens I had selected. I think the TAKE HOME MESSAGE is NOT to choose a color that worked for someone else, but to take the time to choose one that is most calming for YOU.
I too have found that the brown lenses help me most. I see clearer, yet the bright light does not get into my eyes. I wear them a lot, even around the house.
I have been diagnosed with migraines for over 34 years. I have found out that the dark pink sunglasses cut the light also they help when its raining you can see the road. I also wear a pinkish purple sunglasses that when I have a slight headache this is what helps with the headache. I bought my pink sunglasses from the sunglass manufacturer because I couldn’t get it around where I live and those are very precious to me. I hope this helps someone. BR
Hi Elaine, Yes, I get tired of the strange looks and comments on my big old brown sunglasses perpetually perched on my face, day or night. I’ve gotten to the point that I just tell people I have to wear them for a medical condition that makes me super sensitive to light – which is the truth. That usually does the trick.
Thank you Dr Mauskop, I suppose the orange lense is similar to the brown that I have found helps my eyes and head so much. It’s definitely a great place to start looking.
I do remember the Nike product and was sad to see it disappear. I wanted them for myself so badly, but I have Sjogren’s and contacts stick to my eyes and are out of the question for me at present. I knew about Irlen at that time, but didn’t realize they could custom tint contact lenses and glasses to whatever you needed. For me this seems like the best solution a Migraineur could ask for!
A small study reported several years ago suggested that orange color is the best for migraine sufferers. Nike in collaboration with Bausch and Lomb made a line of orange-tinted contact lenses (Maxsight) for athletes that have also helped some of my patients. Unfortunately, Nike discontinued making them, probably because they did not sell well. One drawback of those lenses was that these bright orange contact lenses made people look scary. One of my patients said that she did not care how she looked because this was the only way she could leave her darkened room, even on overcast days. I now recommend trying large sunglasses with orange lenses. The orange color does not help everyone, but for many it is the best color and it is worth trying.
Thank you Ellen, I’m going to look into this. I’ve always have had problems with light, or perhaps glare. I’ve worn sunglasses during snowstorms, rainstorms, in the evening, and I’ve always felt peculiar.