If you are experiencing frequent headaches or migraines, migraine glasses may help. At The E Eye Place, we’ve seen the incredible difference migraine glasses can make. In this guide, we’ll share how migraine glasses work to help reduce migraine symptoms and frequency.
Do Migraine Glasses Work?
Key Summary:
Migraine glasses may be an effective way to help reduce migraine episodes in certain individuals. These specialised glasses work by filtering out particular wavelengths of light that are known to contribute to migraines. If you are dealing with frequent migraines, talk to your optometrist to find out if migraine glasses may help.
If you are experiencing frequent headaches or migraines, migraine glasses may help. At The E Eye Place, we’ve seen the incredible difference migraine glasses can make. In this guide, we’ll share how migraine glasses work to help reduce migraine symptoms and frequency.
Can Bad Eye Sight Cause Migraines?
Our patients often wonder, “Can bad eyesight cause migraines?”. There isn’t a direct connection, as the cause of migraines is complex. However, in some cases, poor eyesight may contribute to migraines.
Eye strain or light sensitivity may increase the intensity or frequency of migraines. Untreated poor eyesight, such as squinting frequently to read signs or small print, may contribute to migraines.
Sensitivity to bright, fluorescent, colourful, or flashing lights can also trigger migraines in certain individuals. Some eye conditions, such as glaucoma, may also contribute to migraines.
Migraine glasses have special lenses designed to block or filter out particular light wavelengths. Blocking these wavelengths helps ease photophobia and eye strain, leading to a reduction in migraine symptoms. Migraine glasses can be personalised according to your current prescription and customised to your eye health needs.
E Eye Place custom prescription lens
How Migraine Glasses Work
Typically, migraine glasses limit how much light can enter the eye. Migraine glasses also work by filtering out certain wavelengths of light that are known to worsen migraine symptoms.
Shorter wavelengths of light, such as blue light, can trigger and worsen migraines (Source: National Library of Medicine). Amber and red light may also exacerbate migraines.
These shorter wavelengths of light are thought to trigger certain cells in the eye, known as photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs).
By blocking wavelengths of light associated with migraine episodes, migraine glasses can help decrease the intensity and frequency of light-sensitivity-induced migraines.
There is a wide range of options, tins, and lenses for migraine glasses. FL-41 is the most commonly used lens. These glasses feature a pinkish-rose colour that blocks harmful wavelengths, such as:
Benefits and Potential Risks of Migraine Headache Glasses
Benefits of Migraine Glasses
Migraine glasses can be beneficial for individuals who deal with frequent migraine attacks or headaches, photophobia, or excessive screen exposure.
Potential benefits of migraine glasses include:
Reduced migraine frequency
Reduced migraine intensity
Reduced pain and discomfort in the eyes
Reduced eye strain
Reduced light sensitivity
Considerations for Migraine Headache Glasses
The risks of migraine glasses are generally low if you get a prescription from an optometrist. However, there are some considerations to keep in mind.
Migraine glasses may not work for everyone or for certain types of headaches, such as sinus or tension headaches
Natural light is still important for the body, so make a point not to avoid it entirely.
Wearing dark glasses even when you are indoors can cause dark adaptation. This can worsen light sensitivity over time.
Consult your optometrist or healthcare provider if your migraines worsen or become more frequent when you start using migraine glasses
Adverse effects, such as dizziness or nausea
For best results, consult with an optometrist to determine if migraine glasses are suitable for you and which type of migraine glasses will benefit you most.
If you are prescribed migraine glasses, wear them according to your optometrist’s instructions. It is also important to take care of your eyes by avoiding poor habits, such as reading in low light or wearing dark-tinted glasses indoors.
Avulux Migraine Glasses
There are many types of migraine glasses available and the ideal type will differ based on your needs, but we frequently recommend Avulux migraine glasses.
As an official provider of Avulux migraine glasses in Perth, our team at E Eye Place can assess if Avulux lenses may reduce your migraine episodes. We’ve seen Avulux technology reduce migraines for many of our patients and we’d love to help you find out if it can help you as well.
Avulux migraine glasses:
Precisely filter out wavelengths of light that are known to worsen or trigger migraines, such as harmful blue light and amber light
Allow green light to pass through to help support migraine relief
Support improved light management
Are ideal for indoor or outdoor use
Provide gentle, effective migraine relief
Ease discomfort for individuals with photophobia
Reduce migraine symptoms and frequency
Are durable and dependable in a range of lighting environments
Migraine Headache Glasses Perth
A cure for migraines does not exist, but wearing migraine glasses with prescription photochromatic lenses may help. These specialised lenses limit how much light can enter your eye and filter out certain wavelengths of light. This may help ease the intensity and frequency of migraine episodes.
If you are experiencing severe headaches and are wondering if migraine glasses may help you, contact us to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online. We are committed to helping as many people find relief from migraines as possible. With two convenient WA locations in Port Coogee and Shelley, our team is ready to help you experience your best vision and healthiest eyes.
Stephanie is an owner optometrist, researcher and educator. She has held clinical, teaching and research roles in Australia and overseas, and has extensive training and clinical experience. Stephanie is also the head optometrist at E Eye Place, on top of this, she is also currently a PhD candidate at UNSW. Dr Stephanie Yeo Optometrist BOptom (HC1) GradCertOcTher DOPT (Merit) CO Ophthalmic Medicines Prescriber.