Irlen Institute Archives - Headache and Migraine News

28 April 2014

Tinted Contact Lenses for Migraines?

James Information, Resources, Treatments 2

As tinted lenses for various types of migraine grow in popularity, there is increasing interest in contact lenses which can do the same thing as glasses.

Actually, using tinted contact lenses for migraine is not a new idea. In 2005, a study in the USA showed relief from migraine pain in most patients that tried red tinted contacts.

It shouldn’t be surprising that tinted contact lenses work where specialized tinted lenses in glasses work. Many migraine patients are finding relief from photophopia, and even pain, with quality sunglasses or precision tinted lenses.

When it comes to contact lenses for migraine, there are some special considerations:

Just buying regular tinted lenses won’t do. Many have a clear, untinted pupil, which of course won’t give any benefit. But you do need a tint that is more geared toward migraine relief.
Lens tinting for migraine relief is really still in its infancy. That means that there will probably be a bit of trial and error before you find the tint that works for you.
There are some concerns about the safety of tinted lenses. Be sure to go to a qualified professional. Check out the laws in your country about who can and cannot provide this service.
Common tints for migraine are shades of red and brown. Other colours, such as blue, may be tried.
The Irlen Method has helped some headache patients. Irlen does provide contact lenses as well as glasses, after a specific testing process. See what this patient had to say.

Check here for more on tinted contact lenses for migraine in the USA. Included in the article are phone numbers that your doctor can call.

In London, England, The Institute of Optometry has done a lot of work with precision tinted lenses.

21 June 2011

A Patient’s Thoughts on Precision Tints

James Treatments 1

After yesterday’s post on precision tinted lenses I thought I’d share with you an email I received earlier this year from Shauna in the USA. She had read a post here on precision tinted lenses and decided to investigate further. Here’s what she wrote:

Thanks for your article where you mentioned precision tinted lenses. Because of researching info in that article I found a solution to my MOST frustrating migrine trigger, 24/7 light sensitivity! I have Scoptic Sentitivity! In the US the source for precision tinted lenses is the Irlen Inst. Founded by Helen Irlen. I took the light sensitivity and headache self tests on www.irlen.com and answered every question yes! The tinted lenses that I now have (contacts!) are life altering!! Even my balance and depth perception have been corrected! My migraine specialist had never heard of it and was at a loss to explain my chronic eye pain, etc. Thanks so much!

Glad you’ve found some relief, Shauna! Hopefully your comments will help someone else. 🙂

9 August 2010

How Sunglasses are helping fight Migraine

James Discoveries & Stats, Tips, Treatments 27

Can sunglasses fight migraine attacks? Yes, but it does matter what kind you buy.

My sunglasses are old. They’re disintegrating. They’ve been stepped on, squashed, scratched – it’s time for something new.

So I started looking around, and I realized that the kind of sunglasses I need are not sold for $10 in a mall kiosk. It took me a while to get over the initial shock of the price, but then I realized that it was my health I was talking about, and that the investment was worth it.

What kind of sunglasses are best for the migraine or chronic headache patient? It’s not an easy question. And once again, as with most migraine treatment, the answer is very individual. But starting with basic quality sunglasses is a step in the right direction.

Basic Sunglasses

Once again, you’re not going to get these for $10. Start thinking in the $100-$200 range… but then again, quality has nothing to do with the logo on the arm of your new shades. So don’t pay extra just to be cool.

First, look for quality. We don’t want cheap plastic sunglasses with some paint on them to make the room look dark.

Next, look for UVA/UVB protection. "100% UV" protection is a little vague for me – I’d rather have some specifications, so ask if you’re not sure. Many sunglasses now have UVA/B/C protection, but since we’re not exposed to much UVC light (unless you’re in the tanning salon) it’s not a priority. Still, that’s usually a sign of quality.

You’re probably also going to want polarized sunglasses. If you’ve never used polarized glasses, you’ll really be looking at the world differently when you first put them on. The cut down the glare – like glare off of the hood of your car. Fishermen have used them for years to cut down on the water glare. (Of course, if you need to see glare, these aren’t for you. If you’re skiing, for example, you need to watch for those ice patches)

What about the tint? First of all, gray and beige/brown tints are popular simply because they tend to give you the most "real" colours. More on tints below.

One more option is photochromic sunglasses. These are the kind that darken in bright light. They’re not for everyone, but if you want to wear them all the time, and are running in and out of the house, it might be an option to consider.

For the cost/quality combination, check out Smith Optics. I find their website rather confusing, but you can also find many of their products on Amazon.

Migraine Sunglasses?

Studies have been done using different types of sunglasses or contacts that block out certain wavelengths of light. For example, some found that a rose tint helped cut the migraine symptoms. Another study found that an optimal tint (not focused on one colour) was better.

The catch is that results tend to be very individual. Until we have more information, your best bet is either to go to a specialist or simply find the tint that you feel is the most comfortable.

The Irlen Institute, for example, is one group that uses colour to alleviate symptoms of various conditions, such as migraine. You can read more at their website.

There are options available to you, but be sure to at least invest in a pair of quality sunglasses. Get a good case, protect them, and wear them.

After that, consider tinted contacts, or visiting a specialist and getting tested. Ask about precision tinted lenses (PTLs) for migraine.