Precision Optical Filters in Managing Light Sensitivity and Migraine Symptomsms The Role of Eye Care Professionals in Managing Light Sensitivity
By Dr. Harbir Sian , BSc, OD As eyecare professionals, we play a crucial role in recognizing and managing many systemic diseases and chronic conditions. In recent years, research on light sensitivity has shown that it can be an indicator of various underlying ocular or neurological conditions. And now we have the opportunity to be the first line of defense in identifying, treating, and managing light sensitivity and the related condition. Understanding Light Sensitivity and Migraine Photophobia is remarkably common, potentially affecting as much as 20% of the average population, and it can be extremely debilitating. Though there are many causes of light sensitivity, it’s highest prevalence is amongst people with migraine. Research has shown that as many as 90% of migraine sufferers experience light sensitivity either continuously or during a migraine attack. Commonly, migraine is misunderstood as a simple headache. However, migraine is a genetic, neuro22 | Eye Digest Magazine
logical disease that affects almost 15% of the population -- over 1 billion people globally. Migraine’s prevalence and severity has established it as the 3rd most prevalent disease in the world and the 6th most disabling, according to the World Health Organization. Migraine can be so disabling that those suffering a migraine episode are often incapable of pursuing activities of daily living. While a throbbing headache is common, a combination of various symptoms can debilitate someone during a migraine attack. Symptoms often include light sensitivity, nausea, and brain fog, to name a few. Migraine pain is generally experienced as a severe headache, typically isolated to one side of the head. Migraine episodes can be triggered by various external and internal factors, and while research into migraine continues to expand, there is still no known cure for this disease. The only option for people with migraine is to control for migraine attack triggers or to manage symptoms.
