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HeadWay, Issue #154 -- Fighting Photophobia: Light Sensitivity and Migraine
June 21, 2017
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In this issue:

Fighting Photophobia: Light Sensitivity and Migraine

Recently at Headache and Migraine News...

Say what?! Photophobia


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Fighting Photophobia: Light Sensitivity and Migraine

One of the most difficult symptoms for the migraine patient is photophobia, or sensitivity to light. It's hard for non-migraineurs to understand, but during a severe migraine attack, that slight crack of light under the door, or the light from a smart phone on the other side of the room, can actually be incredibly painful.

Some migraine patients are sensitive to light all the time, though usually to a lesser degree.

So what can you do to cut down the photophobia? First, there are some key treatment issues to consider...
  • Migraine treatment: It should almost go without saying, but usually the best way to treat migraine symptoms such as photophobia is to take migraine treatment seriously.
  • Depression/Anxiety treatment: Photophobia has also been related to conditions such as post- traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. It may be that treating these conditions will fight the sensitivity to light.
  • Dry eyes: Yes, dry eyes may make your photophobia worse. Ask to be tested by your optometrist, and get his suggestions for treatment.
  • General check-up: Actually, although commonly associated with migraine, there are other conditions that can lead to photophobia, such as meningitis and traumatic brain injury.
There are specific treatment choices that make sense if you are very sensitive to light. For example, ask your doctor about migraine medications that have been shown to reduce photophobia. Also, omega-3 in food and supplements may help with both migraine and dry eyes.

There are also steps you can take to fight light sensitivity in daily life, and during an attack.
  • Computer screens: Try lowering the contrast and brightness on your computer screen (this varies quite a bit depending on your system - do a search online for ways to lower contrast). (Here are more general tips for computer users.)
  • Darken websites: You can use browser plugins to darken specific websites. Try DarkenBackground for Firefox or Deluminate for Chrome.
  • Tinted lenses/contacts: Good sunglasses, or lenses with specific tints (even contact lenses) for migraine can be a help.
  • Take breaks: If you're doing a lot of computer work or up-close work, be sure to take frequent breaks.
  • Change the lighting: People with migraine are frequently bothered by fluorescent lights, and high contrast/blinking light, such as contrast from Venetian blinds or driving by a line of trees. Think about how to minimize the flashing and contrast in your environment.
  • Face masks: Travelling on the bus, or trying to sleep at home? Face masks and eye pillows can be a big help.
  • You need light: It makes sense to limit light during a migraine attack. But if you're retreating into darkness all the time, it can make things worse. Try not to wear sunglasses all the time, or always work in a bare minimum of light.
For more on photophobia, check out this in-depth article: Shedding Light on Photophobia. I am also indebted to Dr. Kathleen Digre's excellent talk at the Migraine World Summit.

Recently at Headache and Migraine News...

Here are some recent articles that you may find helpful:

Say what?! Photophobia

Ok, so you probably already know what photophobia is from experience. But the name is actually a bit of a misnomer. When it comes to migraine, photophobia (photo=light, phobia=fear) isn't exactly a fear of light. Dr. Kathleen Digre and Dr. K. C. Brennan say this in their article on the topic: ...we define photophobia broadly as a sensory state in which light causes discomfort in the eye or head; it may also cause an avoidance reaction without overt pain. We use photo-oculodynia to describe light-induced eye pain from a normally non-painful source (e.g. ambient lighting). (source)

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