A Highly Sensitive Person’s Confessions: Part 1 - Photophobia (Light Sensitivity)

Preface:  I’ve always been more sensitive to my environment, feelings, and other’s emotions than others around me.  I’ve learned to accept my sensitivities, adapt, modify, and do what I can to make myself and others more comfortable.  I’ve also learned to laugh with my family as we joke about the fact that I’m “sensitive to life”.  I’ve recently learned that I fit into a group of people with psychological traits defined as “Highly Sensitive Persons” or “Highly Sensitive Syndrome”. This trait is believed to be in as many as 20% of the population, and is not defined as a disorder, but rather an unchangeable trait to which one must learn to adapt and cope. Unfortunately, I also deal with autoimmune issues, one of which causes my sensitivities to become even greater when my thyroid hormones are off, so everything becomes more stressful, more irritating, more overwhelming.

Photophobia (Light Sensitivity)

Does bright light (fluorescent, LED, sunlight) cause you eye strain?  Fatigue?  Headaches?  Migraines?  Nausea? 

If you answered yes to any of the above, I may have an easy, drug-free solution for you:  FL-41 Glasses or Tint (Rose Filters)

Your local optometrist should be able to apply the tint or get filtered lenses for glasses/sunglasses and there’s even a contact option they may offer.  

However, I needed something more immediate and purchased sunglasses through Amazon.  I bought the Eschenbach FL-41 Meridian Rose Filter Glasses - Photophobia Sunglasses.   I was also able to get a 3-year optical accident protection plan.  

     https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08DH2GRTN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you prefer to order directly through their company, below is that link.  They offer three styles:  wrap-around (no glasses or contacts), Meridian (I ordered, medium overwear), and Summerwood (large overwear).  The Meridian is their medium frame, however it’s the same size as the Large “SolarShield” wearover sunglasses I picked at WM.

      https://www.eschenbach.com/products/fl-41-dark-rose-filter-meridian.asp 

Personally, fluorescent lighting gives me migraines, even when my hormones are level.  I get eye strain, fatigue, and headaches regularly due to bright light.  Normally, I wear 2 pairs of wrapping sunglasses on bright days.  Bright white LEDs, both during the day and at night, hurt my eyes, cause fatigue, eye strain, and headaches if under them for extended periods.  All of this has become better, despite my current thyroid levels being off, since wearing these rose-filtered sunglasses. 

My favorite take-away:  I get to live my life through rose-colored glasses!  

*****Please note, I was not asked to review this product, nor am I getting paid.  My goal is only to perhaps help family and friends who also suffer from photophobia*****