What Are Migraine Glasses?
Glasses for migraines or “anti-migraine glasses” are eyeglasses with specialty lenses designed to help reduce migraine triggers. Many migraine sufferers struggle with light sensitivity, and light and glare can set off migraine attacks or make them worse. But migraine lenses, such as FL-41 lenses, may work to combat these symptoms.
Wearing migraine headache glasses is one simple way to help ease symptoms triggered by or worsened by harsh light. Below, we’ll explain what makes migraine lenses different from ordinary lenses and how they may benefit migraine sufferers.
How Does Light Trigger Migraines?
Migraine headache glasses definitely have an appeal, but why would someone need them in the first place?
Many migraine sufferers have symptoms of light sensitivity (called photophobia). Being exposed to bright lights, whether indoors or outdoors, can also trigger a migraine attack. This is partly due to the sensitive nerve endings in the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye).
These nerve endings are connected to the trigeminal nerve, which sends sensory signals to and from parts of your face and brain. Light and glare can aggravate the trigeminal nerve, especially in people with migraine.
Migraines can vary in intensity for different people. But most (nearly 80%) of migraine sufferers are sensitive to light before, during, and between attacks. In fact, research shows that up to 60% of migraines are light-triggered.
How Do Migraine Glasses Work?
Short wavelengths of light — violet, indigo, and blue, to be specific — feel harsher to people with migraines. Migraine relief glasses work by filtering out these harsh wavelengths. This can help relieve light sensitivity and may help reduce your migraine triggers.
Because of this wavelength-filtering technology, migraine headache glasses often have lenses with a rose-tinted appearance. The most popular variety of migraine lens is the FL-41 lens, though there are many types to choose from.
Types of Migraine Glasses
FL-41 Migraine Lenses
Initially developed to help reduce discomfort from fluorescent light exposure, FL-41 (fluorescent-41) lenses are used to make the standard rose-colored glasses for migraines. FL-41s filter blue light wavelengths in a specific range to help ease light sensitivity symptoms in those with migraine.
Avulux Migraine Lenses
Avulux lenses were developed more recently to filter even more types of migraine-triggering light wavelengths: blue, red, and amber. They do this while allowing more comfortable green light through to the eyes.
Some other migraine glasses brands include MigraLens, TheraSpecs, Neurolux, and SomniLight.
Tinted Glasses for Migraines
Some other types of glasses may seem similar to migraine glasses. For example, blue light glasses and glasses with amber-tinted lenses (or other tints) may also help reduce visual discomfort. But they aren’t specifically designed for migraine or headache relief so they may not filter the correct migraine-triggering light wavelengths. Use these at your own discretion.
Benefits of Migraine Glasses
The benefits of migraine glasses can vary from person to person, as symptoms and their intensity are different for everyone. But many of those who use glasses for migraines report benefits, including:
- Reduced light sensitivity (photophobia)
- Decreased frequency of migraines
- Reduced eye strain
Other symptoms that migraine lenses may help with include facial tingling, pain, and migraine aura.
By easing these symptoms, those who suffer from migraine headaches may achieve an improved quality of life.
How to Choose the Right Migraine Glasses
Everyone’s situation is different when it comes to migraine and migraine management. Be sure to talk with your migraine specialist and your eye doctor to get the best treatment for your unique condition.
When looking for the best migraine glasses for your needs, you should:
- Ensure the lenses are designed specifically for migraine and light sensitivity relief.
- Keep your budget in mind when considering different migraine glasses and brands.
- Ask questions about migraine lenses at your next eye care appointment.
As with all eyeglasses, migraine glasses should suit your individual needs. Your prescription, extra lens features, and personal style are all things to consider too.
Frequently Asked Questions About Migraine Glasses
How Often Should You Wear Glasses for Migraines?
You should wear your migraine glasses on any day that you may encounter migraine triggers. This includes:
- Days that you use a digital screen or computer
- Days you’re exposed to bright or intense lighting
- Days with variable weather conditions
Those who experience chronic or frequent migraines may need to wear glasses for migraines on a daily basis. “Frequent” means two or more migraines a week that each last three or more hours.
Experts also recommend putting your migraine glasses on whenever you feel migraine symptoms coming on.
How Effective Are Migraine Glasses?
Do migraine lenses work? The effectiveness of migraine glasses can be different for everyone. Some studies have shown that these lenses can reduce the frequency of migraine headaches triggered by bright lights. However, further research is still necessary. They may be more useful for prevention than in stopping an attack that has already started.
Everyone’s symptoms are different, so one person may find the glasses more beneficial than another.
Do Blue Light Glasses Help with Migraines?
FL-41 lenses typically filter blue light (and some green light) with wavelengths between 480 and 520 nanometers. Avulux lenses filter specific wavelengths of blue, red, and amber light while allowing soothing green light through to the eyes.
Blue light glasses are typically designed to filter wavelengths in the blue-violet light* spectrum. Wavelengths that are thought to trigger symptoms of photophobia in migraine sufferers may not be filtered by blue light glasses.
Where Can You Buy Migraine Glasses?
Many retailers sell migraine headache glasses, both online and in-store. Wherever you choose to buy them, make sure they have the right specifications to be considered “migraine eyeglasses.” Tinted lenses don’t automatically relieve migraines, headaches, or light sensitivity.
As a reminder, some better-known migraine glasses brands include:
- Avulux
- Neurolux
- TheraSpecs
- SomniLight
- MigraLens
How Much Do Migraine Glasses Cost?
Due to their advanced technology, FL-41 lenses and other migraine glasses can be costly. The least expensive FL-41 lenses are about $45, plus the cost of the frame. It costs even more to add your prescription to the lenses. The most expensive migraine lenses can be $300 or more.
Are Migraine Headache Glasses Covered by Insurance?
If your migraine glasses are part of your prescription or considered medically necessary (and written as such by your doctor), your insurance may cover them. But in many cases, insurance does not cover the cost of these special lens filters. It’s best to speak to your insurance provider directly to find out what your plan will cover.
Do Migraine Glasses Really Work?
Speak with your health care providers about the best migraine and headache relief products and treatment plans. Migraine glasses may be effective at easing migraine symptoms for some people, but others may find them to be less helpful. And they may not be a good option due to personal preferences, needs, or budget.
If you haven’t had an eye exam in the last year or two, your vision prescription may be out of date. Wearing old glasses can lead to blurred vision, headaches, and eye strain. Fortunately, getting new glasses with an updated prescription may provide the headache relief you’re looking for.
*Disclaimer: Blue-violet light is between 400-455nm as stated by ISO TR20772-2018.
