Photophobia and Migraine: Being Heard Changed Everything
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Photophobia is an abnormal and often painful sensitivity to light — it is a neurological symptom, not a fear or eye problem
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It is commonly linked to migraine, even when eye tests are completely normal
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Symptoms can include eye pain, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, and difficulty tolerating natural or artificial light
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FL-41 tinted lenses filter specific wavelengths of light known to trigger migraine and can significantly reduce symptom severity
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Environmental adjustments at home and work can greatly improve quality of life
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Being heard, validated, and properly supported can be life-changing
What Is Photophobia?
Photophobia is a medical symptom characterised by abnormal sensitivity or pain in response to light. Despite the name meaning “fear of light,” it’s not psychological — it’s a physical intolerance.
Symptoms can include:
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Squinting or blinking excessively
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Shielding your eyes from light
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Eye pain
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Headache
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Preference for dim lighting
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Avoiding bright outdoor environments
Photophobia is usually a symptom of an underlying condition — such as migraine — rather than a condition on its own.
Why do FL-41 lenses help?
FL-41 lenses were developed in the 1990's to help patients with sensitivity to fluorescent lighting. Their effectiveness has been well documented over time.
They work by filtering out specific wavelengths of light known to trigger migraine. By reducing the intensity and harshness of light, they allow the brain to process visual input with less stress.
For me, FL-41 lenses:
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Reduce migraine severity
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Decrease light-induced pain
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Improve daily function
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Provide meaningful quality-of-life support
Photophobia and migraine
For years before my migraine diagnosis, I knew something wasn’t right with my eyes.
I had them checked multiple times — and every single test came back perfect. Great vision. Healthy eyes. “Just slightly dry, use lubricating drops.”
Yet I was struggling daily, and the disconnect left me confused and unheard.
When my vision didn’t make sense
During my first pregnancy, my vision became unpredictable. I would need to squint or blink repeatedly just to focus. One moment everything looked blurry, and the next it would suddenly snap back into clarity — with no explanation.
Certain environments made it much worse:
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Bright sunlight
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Indoor lighting
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Light shining through a car window
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Movement combined with light
Sunglasses didn’t really help. Alongside the visual issues came nausea, dizziness, and increasing discomfort. If I got too hot, my vision would deteriorate even more. Sometimes I would see spots or stars or areas of my vision that would be blurred or have blind spots.
I went back to my GP several times with the same concerns, plus other symptoms. Each time, the conversation went nowhere.
The appointment that changed everything
It wasn’t until my first appointment with my “dizzy doctor” that things finally clicked. I was referred to the Dizzy specialist once I was severely debilitated with pain, inability to stand up straight, vertigo and much more. Now everything was pointing towards migraine. It came with a diagnosis of; chronic migraine, chronic migraine with aura, chronic vestibular migraine and visual vertigo.
Halfway through the consult, he said:
“Let me turn the lights off for you.”
We continued the appointment in a darkened room with a soft green ambient light. For the first time, I felt seen.
After extensive questioning, testing. He said:
“You have migraine — and photophobia.”
Hearing those words was validating beyond measure. However all I could think was when was the pain going to stop? To be truthful I was ignorant and didn't know much about migraine. I asked, "Do you think I will be feeling better in a few day's? He looked at me and said nothing I said two weeks? I think he could see the despair on my face and said lets just take it a day at a time. I'm now in my sixth year.
Discovering FL-41 glasses
I was first given green-tinted lenses to try, but they actually made me feel worse. Then he handed me a pair of FL-41 lenses.
Wow.
The relief was immediate and undeniable. He allowed me to take them home while I ordered my own pair, and I honestly can’t describe how much they helped.
When I ordered my first pair online, they were labelled FL-41 but were much lighter than his. They helped enough for me to return his sample pair — but I knew there was more to explore. I learnt that FL-41 glasses can come in three different tint percentages, usually 25%, 50% and 80%.
25% tint - Recommended for indoor use, office environments for those with mild light sensitivity.
50% tint - Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, this is used for moderate light sensitivity and is considered a versatile option for all day wear.
80% tint - This is tailored for heavy light sensitivity and outdoor use in bright sunlight. These function more like sunglasses to block maximum light, reducing headaches and eye strain in bright conditions.
Colourimetry testing: finding the right lens
I was referred to an independent optometry clinic in Canberra's CBS, where they perform a colourimetry testing. This involved sitting in a specialised machine that cycles through 29 different lens colours.
The difference was remarkable.
With some lenses, lines appeared distorted or blurry. With others, my brain felt overstimulated. But when we reached FL-41, everything became clearer — and my nervous system relaxed.
That was my lens.
A few days later, I collected my new glasses, and suddenly life felt more manageable.
How FL-41 changed my daily life
With the right lenses, I could:
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Go to the supermarket
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Walk through shopping centres
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Be outdoors on sunny days
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Function with far less distress
Bright light causes pain — which is why so many of us retreat to dark rooms during migraine attacks. Unfortunately for me, I live with migraine daily, so these glasses are not optional. They are essential.
Light as a migraine trigger
My biggest triggers include:
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Bright lights
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Flickering or fluorescent lighting
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Light flashing through trees while driving
Even natural daylight can be overwhelming. I plan my day carefully — early morning or late afternoon is best. Midday sun is asking for trouble and some day is just not an option or I will need to let the family know when it's time before I get too bad.
Photophobia in the workplace
Work has been particularly challenging. Fluorescent lighting and constant screen use significantly worsen my symptoms. At times, I’ve worn a cap indoors just to shield my eyes.
Small adjustments can make a big difference:
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Warm light bulbs
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Dimmers
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Blackout blind
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Screen brightness and contrast adjustments
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Blue-light filters
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Regular breaks
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Moisturising eye drops for dry eyes
Most importantly: it’s okay to advocate for what you need.