Precision tinted glasses

Many migraineurs make good use of sunglasses, and often are even prescribed tinted glasses.  I have no doubt the sunglasses are helpful for me when I’m dealing with a migraine attack.  We all know that sensitivity to light (photophobia) is a major symptom of migraine, so cutting down on the light usually makes you feel a little better.  But there has been some question about just how helpful tinted glasses are, and whether they’re helpful for everyone.  There are different kinds of tinting – which is the most helpful?

There is a move to use technology to provide precision tinted lenses to some migraine sufferers.  What’s that?  Well, essentially you go into the lab and between you and the machine you decide what is the optimal tint for you.  So you basically get a custom made tint.  The change of tint tint changes the colour, not the brightness, interestingly enough.

So far, the trial results are not spectacular, but they are promising.  It looks like there may be some very real benefits for certain types of migraine.  If your migraine attacks are triggered by visual stimuli (for example, fluorescent lights, computer screens) precision tints may be a big help.  They could keep triggers from triggering, you might say.  There is also evidence that the glasses help cut down on the severity of an attack once it begins.

These glasses should allow you to see clearer and be more comfortable.  We won’t complain about that.  It’s good to know what’s out there before you waste money on tints that aren’t all that effective.  Studies have been done as well with patients who have problems reading, and with other issues such as head injury and MS.

For a more lengthy (though technical) discussion of tinting for migraine is available in pdf format from the UK’s optometry journal, Optometry Today.  Right click to download Precision Tinted Lenses in Migraine (pdf).

What about you?  Have you had experience with tints?  Have they been helpful?  Leave a comment.