14 Feb 2022 FL-41: Special Tinted Lenses for Migraine and Light Sensitivity
What are FL-41 Lenses?
Photo courtesy of University of Utah Health
According to an article by the University of Utah Health, FL-41 is a type of rose or “boysenberry” colored tint that can help ease sufferers of migraine headaches, blepharospasm, light-triggered seizures, CVS (Computer Vision Syndrome) as well as other light-sensitive/triggered conditions.
As many as 90% of those who suffer from migraines report having light sensitivity, and it was found that blepharospasm and migraine patients suffer more from light sensitivity compared to those who do not struggle with these conditions. When these patients had their light sensitivity treated, there were improvements to their blepharospasm and migraine symptoms.
The usage of FL-41 lenses was first documented back in a research project in the early 90s. In this study, children with migraine headaches were given FL-41 lenses, and researchers found that wearing the FL-41 filter improved the light sensitivity in these children, and lessened the frequency and severity of their migraine headaches. Since then, FL-41 filtered lenses have been used to treat these and other conditions.
What is light sensitivity?
Another popular term used interchangeably with light sensitivity is ‘photophobia’. Photophobia may not mean having the fear of light, but it is mainly used to describe people who experience pain when exposed to light or people who are more sensitive to light.
According to Migraine Buddy, people who were suffering from migraines did not know that they were suffering from photophobia. Symptoms of photophobia include having sensitivity/aversion to light, brightly colored spots when you open or close your eyes, having difficulty reading, frequently needing to squint and excessively dry or teary eyes.
Places where people suffer from light sensitivity may include offices, retail spaces and hospitals where there is an abundance of bright fluorescent light. Although it can’t be seen by the human eye, fluorescent light does flicker, and that flickering can be a migraine trigger to many.
What is the difference between wearing FL-41 glasses vs regular sunglasses for migraines/light sensitivity?
You may ask, why don't I just wear sunglasses for migraines against light sensitivity?
Sunglasses can offer relief from migraines through reducing visual stress, however, wearing them indoors can actually lower the threshold you have for bright light. In the long run, once you've adapted to them, you can actually become sensitive to even the normal light indoors that weren’t an issue previously.
Another study, that compared the usage of FL-41 to grey tinted lenses, found that FL-41 provided superior improvement in the areas of reading, fluorescent light sensitivity, overall light sensitivity, blepharospasm frequency and blepharospasm severity (Blackburn et al, 2009). Blackburn et al, (2009) also found that FL-41 lenses reduced the mean blink rate compared to participants who wore both rose and grey tinted lenses, and reduced eyelid contraction force compared to rose tinted lenses.
Are FL-41 glasses for me?
If you are already wearing sunglasses indoors to manage light sensitivity, or are having problems over light sensitivity, then the FL-41 lenses may just be suitable for you. People who have benefited from FL-41 lenses reported improvement in comfort over strong lighting in the office, or in the mall.
However, if you are suffering from migraines on a constant basis, you should seek a health professional for any underlying conditions first. Other ways in dealing with migraine is managing triggers such as stress and anxiety, as well as taking medication for relief if headaches become intense.
FL-41 lenses do cause a ‘pinkish’ tint to be seen over everything through the lenses, so if you are a photo/video editor or a graphic designer that requires absolute colour perception, then these lenses may not be best suited for you. For a majority of other people who are mainly working with spreadsheets or documents, then the colour tint will not present an issue.
Where can I order FL-41 glasses?
Offline retailers:
You may enquire about them either in one of our stores at:
- KJ Optometrists @ SingPost (10 Eunos Road 8, #B1-121 Singapore Post Centre, Singapore 408600)
- KJ Optometrists @ Plaza Singapura (68 Orchard Road, #04-52 Plaza Singapura, Singapore 238839)
- KJ Optometrists @ Junction 10 (1 Woodlands Road, #01-19 Junction 10, Singapore 677889)
Can I still order them if I live outside of Singapore?
Yes. Please reach out to us here to enquire about the ordering process as well as the shipping details.
If you require them to be made with a prescription on top of the filter, please provide additional details such as a dated spectacle prescription that is within 1 year from the date of order as well as your pupillary distance.
Should you wish to use an existing frame, please make arrangements for them to be sent to either one of our offices.
References:
- Blackburn, M. K., Lamb, R. D., Digre, K. B., Smith, A. G., Warner, J. E., McClane, R. W., Nandedkar, S. D., Langeberg, W. J., Holubkov, R., & Katz, B. J. (2009). FL-41 tint improves blink frequency, light sensitivity, and functional limitations in patients with benign essential blepharospasm. Ophthalmology, 116(5), 997–1001. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2008.12.031
- Martinez, J. (2019). FL-41: Effective Migraine Treatment or Just Hype? Migraine Buddy. Retrieved from: https://migrainebuddy.com/fl-41-effective-migraine-treatment-or-just-hype/
- Pond, M. (2022). Sensitivity to Fluorescent Light (and How to Deal With It). Axon Optics. Retrieved from: https://www.axonoptics.com/sensitivity-to-fluorescent-light-and-how-to-deal-with-it/
- University of Utah Health. (n.d.). Migraines and FL-41 Tinted Lenses: Helping Treat Migraines Blepharospasm, & Other Light-Sensitive Conditions. Retrieved from: https://healthcare.utah.edu/moran/optometry/fl41-lenses.php