It was in the early 90s that researchers discovered that wearing an F1-41 filter improved light sensitivity. Since then, F1-41 lenses have been used to treat a variety of conditions that cause light sensitivity or photophobia. F1-41 lenses filter out certain blue wavelengths that seem to bother people with light sensitivity. By blocking out these wavelengths, the lenses also improve sharpness and contrast, which leads to better visual acuity.
What are the signs that you may need F1-41 prescription glasses?
1. You experience migraine headaches
If you suffer from migraine headaches, light sensitivity is a common symptom. It occurs more frequently than any other migraine symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to sound. The visual cortex of the brain responsible for processing light is much more sensitive if you suffer from migraines.
The light sensitivity you experience with migraine often begins before you have any pain. It is not uncommon for bright light or flickering lights to bring on a migraine attack. Over time it can take less and less light to cause a problem and you may start becoming light aversive.
By blocking bright light and filtering out the type of light you are more sensitive to, you can lessen the severity and frequency of your migraines. Wearing F1-41 glasses can do this for you. If you need your glasses fast, you can go online, select a frame you like, add your prescription and choose an FL-41 prescription glasses package. The lens is tinted and tested with a spectrometer to ensure the required wavelengths are being blocked.
2. Your eyes are dry
Dry eyes are another common cause of light sensitivity. Tears help to maintain the health of the front surface of the eyes and provide clear vision. With every blink of your eye, tears spread across the front surface or cornea of the eye and lubricate it. This improves your vision, reduces the risks of infection, and washes away any foreign matter.
You either don’t have enough tears with dry eyes, or your tears are of poor quality. Several glands in and around your eyes are involved in tear production. As you grow older, you tend to produce fewer tears. Certain medications and medical conditions can also affect tear production. Antihistamines, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications can cause dry eyes. Medical conditions such as thyroid problems, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis can do the same. Environmental conditions, such as a dry climate or harsh winds, can decrease tear volume.
Tears consist of oil, mucus, and water. The water does not evaporate due to the oil. The mucus layer ensures tears spread evenly over the eye surface. Deficiencies of any of the layers can cause dry eyes to develop.
Light sensitivity is just one of the symptoms of dry eyes. Other symptoms may include blurry vision, redness, and watery eyes. Dry eye with light sensitivity affects the lives of many people. It is not well understood why dry eye can lead to light sensitivity. Some experts believe that it’s because the tear film is not smooth, and this causes the light to scatter in different directions when it reaches the eyes.
In mild cases of dry eyes, using over-the-counter artificial tear solutions can help. People with dry eyes who don’t respond to artificial tears need to take further measures. A doctor can prescribe eye drops that increase tear production. Nutritional supplements that contain fatty acids may help to decrease symptoms. For those battling light sensitivity due to dry eyes, wearing F1-40 lenses may be a solution.
3. You have involuntary eye movements you can’t control
Blepharospasm is a condition that causes involuntary squeezing of the eyes. It involves the eyelid muscles and affects women more than men. It is more common in the second half of life. The excessive blinking can be socially limiting and make activities like driving or reading difficult. Light sensitivity is one of the symptoms. Other symptoms include dryness, burning, and a gritty feeling.
Using Botulinum Toxin (Botox) injections can help temporarily paralyze the eye muscles. The benefits of this can start within a week or so and last for about three months. There are several possible side effects of these injections, such as drooping of the eyelids. Unfortunately, they also have no effect on light sensitivity.
It was in the late 2000s that researchers began conducting studies on people with blepharospasm. They found that using a lighter rose hue as opposed to the earlier reddish-brown tint of FI-41 glasses had positive results. Patients found that their amount of involuntary eye movements and light sensitivity decreased.
Today many people wear FL-41 glasses to help with blepharospasm. The rose-tinted filter can be added to all types of prescription glasses and tend to do better indoors than outdoors.
