All about light sensitivity glasses you should know

Light sensitivity, also known as photophobia, is a condition where a person feels discomfort or even pain when the eyes are exposed to bright light. It could be a symptom of a range of health disorders, sometimes having directly to do with the eyes like cataracts, glaucoma, or Graves' disease. Other cases might seem to have nothing to do with the eyes, like shingles, migraines or bacterial infections.

The only way to get rid of the light sensitivity is to address the root of the problem. But in the meantime, many people who experience it have found a lot of comfort in light sensitivity glasses. Wearing these special glasses can greatly diminish the discomfort of bright light exposure, especially if you pick the right pair for you.

What are light sensitivity glasses?

Light sensitivity glasses or photophobia glasses look pretty much like ordinary sunglasses in that they both come with tinted lenses. In fact, many people who experience mild cases of light sensitivity find that regular sunglasses do suffice as a way to reduce eye discomfort in bright light.

However, for those who suffer from more severe cases, as well as those who have other vision impairments other than light sensitivity, ordinary sunglasses might not be enough. For these situations, more specialized options might be needed, like polarized sunglasses, or those that automatically transition across different shades, depending on the amount of light in the surroundings.

Do light sensitivity glasses work?

The main function of light sensitivity glasses is to block enough light from entering the eyes so that there would be no discomfort or pain. At the same time, they allow enough light to pass through so that the wearer will be able to see clearly.

So do they work as a remedy for light sensitivity? Yes, they would work as long as you pick the right one for your particular condition. There are a few factors that you need to consider, like the tint of the lens, the size of the frame, and other features like UV protection, and so on.

Who should wear light sensitivity glasses?

Anyone who experiences discomfort or pain when looking at bright light can wear light sensitivity glasses. If you have been diagnosed with certain eye conditions that include photophobia as a symptom, your eye doctor might prescribe a pair of these glasses to help you get by while undergoing treatment. However, you don’t necessarily have to get a prescription for these glasses because they are available to anyone.

Why are light sensitivity glasses usually yellow?

It’s common for people to assume that any kind of tint should be able to block a certain amount of light, hence any shade would do for light sensitivity glasses. However, there is more to it than that. Certain colors are able to block specific wavelengths of light. Research has shown that yellow tinted lenses are able to block out the wavelengths that lead to light sensitivity. Yellow is also good for filtering harmful blue light, which has been linked to eye strain and other vision and health problems.

Of course, there are many other available options for those that don’t like yellow tinted lenses. Brown and grey are also quite popular as they are able to block a significant amount of light while ensuring good contrast at the same time. This is very important for maintaining visual acuity even in low light conditions.

Shades of red are also common among light sensitivity glasses. While these frames do diminish glare as well, they have the tendency to alter the colors that the wearer sees, and this is why they are not as popular as the other choices.

How to buy the best light sensitivity glasses?

When shopping for light sensitivity glasses, you can start by choosing the color tint that would help you best in reducing discomfort. The best way to make a pick would be to try on different lenses and see how you feel when wearing them in a brightly lit environment. When you have settled on a shade, it’s time to choose the frame. The color, style, and size are mostly up to you. For maximum protection, you can opt for one with thicker sides, which can block bright light that is not in your direct line of vision.