Light and other visual stimuli also can trigger migraine
attacks; for example, flickering or pulsing lights,
repetitive patterns, glare, bright lights, computer
screens, TV, and movies. Fluorescent light contains
invisible pulsing, which is likely why so many report it
as a migraine trigger. TBI can also cause a person to feel ill when exposed to
fluorescent lighting, according to the International Brain
Injury Association. Fluorescent light-induced symptoms
can include headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, eye
strain, eye fatigue, and increased sensitivity to visual
input.
Tension-Type Headache
Tension-type headache can also cause photophobia
during and between headaches. However, individuals
with tension-type headache are generally less sensitive to
light than those with migraine. Hemicrania Continua, SUNCT, and Other Trigeminal
Autonomic Cephalalgias
Although photophobia in hemicrania continua,
SUNCT, and other trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias
has not been studied extensively, photophobia is a known
symptom of the headache disorders in this group.
Cluster Headache
During a series, cluster headache can cause light
sensitivity both during and between attacks. Between
cluster series, those with cluster headache have the
same levels of photophobia as those without a headache
disorder.
New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH)
Estimates of photophobia in NDPH range from 46
percent to 66 percent, depending on the study that you
are reading. A 2002 study found 48 percent of people
with NDPH found pain relief by going into a dark room.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (Concussions)
Photophobia is the most common visual problem
reported by people with traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
About 60 percent of military veterans with TBI report
severe light sensitivity.
What Types of Light are Most Problematic?
Any source of light can cause photophobia. Researchers
have found that blue-green light can be particularly
problematic because of the innate sensitivity of the pain-
sensing cells in the eye. Blue green-light is everywhere,
from artificial lighting like compact fluorescents, device
and computer screens, and even sunshine, in studies
comparing tints.
The tint that migraine glasses, such as TheraSpecs,
use, called F-41, filters those wavelengths thus reducing
migraine attacks and providing the most relief for
photophobia.
www.headaches.org
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National Headache Foundation
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