Glasses for Migraines: How Do They Work?

Would you be surprised to learn that you have more options for pain relief if you suffer from migraines?

If you have noticed more frequent migraines in the last two years, you’re not alone. The Journal of Headache and Pain reports that 59.6% of patient surveys report an increase in migraine frequency due to the effects of the pandemic.

Whether you have a history of chronic migraines or recently began having debilitating migraine headaches, migraine glasses may decrease your symptoms.

Admittedly, there is no 100% cure for migraines. However, those experiencing more migraine symptoms due to increased computer use, eye strain, or light sensitivity may benefit from migraine glasses.

When it comes to taking your migraine relief seriously, research your options. Glasses for migraines: research, benefits, and how they work is a great start!

Do Migraine Glasses Work?

Studies have revealed that individuals can achieve migraine relief from migraine glasses.

Those diagnosed with benign essential blepharospasm reported improvement wearing FL-41 migraine glasses and gray-tinted lenses in a 2009 study.

Chronic migraine sufferers and patients with photophobia reported relief from a 2016 study.

The patients who participated in the study wore migraine glasses with thin-notch filler lenses. The results of migraine relief were consistent with 480 nanometers(nm) and 620 (nm).

Migraine glasses are often called migraine sunglasses. FL-41 glasses are some of the most popular migraine glasses to help block harmful light. Unfortunately, for many, sunlight is the culprit and migraine trigger.

Living in the sunshine state with approximately 246 sunny days a year in Tampa alone, protecting yourself from migraine attacks is a good idea.

How Do Migraine Glasses Work?

Migraine sufferers often report sensitivity to light indoors and outside. Migraine glasses are blockers to protect you from the usual migraine symptoms.

The glasses for migraines’ Fl-41 lenses block wavelengths of light, fluorescent lights, and blue-green light from digital screens. Migraine glasses also help stop the UV rays from the sun.

Personalized migraine glasses can be made according to your prescription if you suffer from an eye condition or currently wear glasses.

If you still have questions about how glasses for migraines can provide you relief, True Eye Experts are here to assist you. As Tampa’s expert optometrist, we can help you find the best migraine glasses.

Filter the Offending Light

Blocking bright lights in the middle of a migraine attack has proven to help relieve pain for migraine sufferers. In addition, using glasses for migraines with Fl-41 lenses helps reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.

Protecting yourself from harmful light is as simple as filtering offending light from the sun and computer screens. Unfortunately, there is no cure for migraines, but migraine glasses can help.

Determining which FL-41 lenses and filters are right for you can be overwhelming. True Eye Experts are experienced optometrists who are here to help you every step of the way. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us today.

Reduce Migraine Frequency

Glasses for migraines filter light and help reduce migraine attacks. Light is important to your body, so don’t avoid it altogether. Instead, you are simply attempting to minimize migraine triggers.

Consult your healthcare provider if your migraines become more frequent or severe after using migraine glasses.

Reduce Symptoms of Light Sensitivity

Blocking harmful light is vital to keep migraines at bay. If you are diagnosed with photophobia, migraine glasses have been proven to help symptoms of light sensitivity.

A 2016 study showed that tinted eyewear helped reduce symptoms of light sensitivity. Further studies supported that migraine patients who wore Fl-41 lenses or filters experienced relief from their symptoms.

Who Should Wear Migraine Glasses?

If you suffer from chronic migraines, photophobia, or benign essential blepharospasm, migraine glasses are a great option.

Depending on your symptoms, migraine glasses may be an excellent option for those making their eyes work harder with increased digital screen time, dry eyes, or blurry vision.

Whether you have blurry vision in one eye or two, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with one of our True Eye Experts for a consultation.

Types of Migraine Glasses

Polarized Sunglasses

Polarized glasses contain a special filter that helps block horizontal light to decrease glare. The glasses label should indicate UV400 protection, which is 100% UV protection.

There have been reports of some migraine patients feeling adverse effects such as nausea and dizziness. Talk to your optometrist or one of our True Eye Experts if you have any concerns.

Tinted Glasses for Migraines

Since they were first developed in 1991, FL-41 tinted glasses for migraines have significantly improved.

These migraine glasses help reduce the wavelength of light, such as fluorescent lights on television screens, cell phones, and computer monitors.

When wearing tinted glasses, migraine patients report that their color perceptions aren’t as accurate. Tinted migraine glasses, however, have not been reported to cause any direct side effects.

You should only wear these glasses when attempting to block harmful lights that trigger migraine symptoms.

Blue Light Glasses for Migraines

For many years, blue light glasses were believed to help migraine sufferers. However, recently a 2021 study revealed that blue-blocking lenses did not alter or prevent symptoms of eye strain.

The claims that blue light-blocking glasses prevent eye strain, headaches, and long-term retinal damage remain unproven by science.

If you are working on a computer or watching television, blue light glasses and lenses block the blue light, which can prevent you from sleeping.

Many migraine sufferers report relief from blue light glasses and say they’ve had great success with them. Therefore, it is worth a try if you’re not negatively affected. Transition contact lenses are also an alternative to blue light glasses.

Rose Tinted Glasses for Migraines

Rose-tinted glasses for migraines are an FL-41 lens designed to help patients with chronic migraines or photophobia.

In 1991, children diagnosed with migraines wore a red-tinted FL-41 lens for four months. The study revealed the migraine frequency had improved from 6.2 per month to 1.6 per month.