1. < Eye Conditions

Extreme light sensitivity. What can be done?

Posted by sunny1971 @sunny1971, Sep 29, 2020

HELLO ALL! I'VE ALREADY POSTED A DISCUSSION ON EXTREME, I MEAN HEAVY LIGHT SENSITIVITY ! MY HUSBAND HAS HAD FOR GOING ON 4 MONTHS NOW! HAD CATARACT OUT JUNE 29, THE LIGHT THING STARTED BEFORE THAT, HE THOUGHT BY NOW AFTER ALL THE DROPS , IT WOULD DISAPATE. IT DID GET A BIT BETTER 3 WEEKS AGO, THEN IT ALL CAME BACK, WHERE HE CANT LOOK OUTSIDE WITHOUT SQUINTING, GLASSES DOUBLE SHEILDS! NO T.V, THE PAIN BEHIND HIS RIGHT EYEBALL WAS BAD YESTERDAY, THE SURGEON SAYS INFLAMMATION ! HE IS DOWN TO 1 DROP IN THE EYE 1 TIME A DAY! LOTAMAX ! I READ IT CAN CAUSE LIGHT SENSITIVITY! HE IS LOST, LOSING HIS MIND, CANT HAVE THE FUN LIFE HE LEADS HERE IN FLORIDA ! WILL THIS GET BETTER ? THE DOC HAD NO ANWSERS, AND SAYS KEEP PUTTING THE CRAP IN HIS EYE ! HIS PRESSURE IS PERFECT, PERFECT SIGHT ! THE LENS WAS A TRI FOCAL ! IT IS SO INTENSE HE SAYS EVERYTHING EXTREMLY BRIGHT OUT OF THAT EYE !!!! ANYONE ??? HAVE THIS ? ALL THE RESEARCH I'VE DONE SHOWS THAT THIS IS NOT A DISEASE ! WHEN WILL IT GO AWAY !!!!????mas

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lioness | @lioness | Oct 1, 2020
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@lioness Hello Linda, Thank you for responding. Since you’re going to a neurologist would you mind..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@lioness
Hello Linda,
Thank you for responding. Since you’re going to a neurologist would you mind asking him if fibromyalgia causes Photophobia/light sensitivity. Or if any of the medication for it might. It’s my understanding that it can and get back to us please.
Thanks in advance,
Jake

Jump to this post

@jakedduck1 I will ask him but I've had photophobia since the 20,s but I would like to know if it had been made worse by diseases like neuropathy or Fibromyalgia

REPLY
Hank | @jesfactsmon | Oct 2, 2020
In reply to @rwinney "@jakedduck1 @sunny1971 Hey Jake! I love how when you step up to the plate, you step..." + (show)
@rwinney

@jakedduck1 @sunny1971 Hey Jake! I love how when you step up to the plate, you step up BIG. Way to go! This is awesome information.

I'd like to conclude the importance of balance when it comes to light exposure verses deprivation. Of course if extreme light sensity comes after eye surgery there is bound to be the approach of needing complete blackness. I know it too well and those times were brutal. However, in time, I have found that the remnants of photophobia that I have been left with from surgeries, neuropathy, dry eye and migraines, need balance of light. Acclimating slowly to a drastic light change has been very important for me. You are right when you say avoiding light can become acute. I feel bad for anyone experiencing these challenges, like @sunny1971's husband. It is taxing.

Some things I have done to be more comfortable are lowering the brightness on all my TVs and devices. I sit at an angle while watching TV, never directly in front. Even with that, some nights, it's not enough and off to bed I go. I pretty much live in a baseball hat as blocking the light from above is helpful. Visors down in vehicles (I wish there were side visors in addition to front visors). When it gets too bad, I sit in the back seat where I'm better protected from direct light. I have multiple sunglasses and now am trying FL-41 lenses.

I will be leaving Sunday to attend Mayo's PRC and while there my neuro opthamologist has arranged for me to be seen by a Mayo cornea specialist. I'm super excited for this and if I learn anything new about dry eye or photophobia, I will definitely share with all of you. My heart goes out to all who suffer.

Rachel

Jump to this post

@rwinney
Hi Rachel, here is an ad for a side visor ($19.95 for 2) which you may or may not find useful. If nothing else, the sales people are perky!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZW7Qd-jZdE
Best, Hank

REPLY
2 replies
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Oct 2, 2020
In reply to @jesfactsmon "@rwinney Hi Rachel, here is an ad for a side visor ($19.95 for 2) which you..." + (show)
@jesfactsmon

@rwinney
Hi Rachel, here is an ad for a side visor ($19.95 for 2) which you may or may not find useful. If nothing else, the sales people are perky!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZW7Qd-jZdE
Best, Hank

Jump to this post

@jesfactsmon
Hi Hank,
Looks like it may be somwhat helpful if sensitivity was mild. The inventor said you can see through it but I never could in the video. Anyone have first-hand knowledge of this item. Perhaps if you’re sitting close enough to it then maybe you can. I wouldn’t think they could sell anything you wouldn’t be able to see easily out of. Almost worth buying just to find out for sure.
Take care,
Jake

REPLY
Mentor
Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Oct 2, 2020
In reply to @jesfactsmon "@rwinney Hi Rachel, here is an ad for a side visor ($19.95 for 2) which you..." + (show)
@jesfactsmon

@rwinney
Hi Rachel, here is an ad for a side visor ($19.95 for 2) which you may or may not find useful. If nothing else, the sales people are perky!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZW7Qd-jZdE
Best, Hank

Jump to this post

@jesfactsmon I hate to play favorites Hank but, you are one of mine!!!! For this reason right here. You are relentless when it comes to helping those in need. I love this simple, and from what it appears, effective solution. Thank you. thank you, thank you!!! I shall check these out. 😊👍🏻😎
Have a great day!
Rachel

REPLY
1 reply
sunny1971 | @sunny1971 | Oct 2, 2020
In reply to @rwinney "@jakedduck1 @sunny1971 Hey Jake! I love how when you step up to the plate, you step..." + (show)
@rwinney

@jakedduck1 @sunny1971 Hey Jake! I love how when you step up to the plate, you step up BIG. Way to go! This is awesome information.

I'd like to conclude the importance of balance when it comes to light exposure verses deprivation. Of course if extreme light sensity comes after eye surgery there is bound to be the approach of needing complete blackness. I know it too well and those times were brutal. However, in time, I have found that the remnants of photophobia that I have been left with from surgeries, neuropathy, dry eye and migraines, need balance of light. Acclimating slowly to a drastic light change has been very important for me. You are right when you say avoiding light can become acute. I feel bad for anyone experiencing these challenges, like @sunny1971's husband. It is taxing.

Some things I have done to be more comfortable are lowering the brightness on all my TVs and devices. I sit at an angle while watching TV, never directly in front. Even with that, some nights, it's not enough and off to bed I go. I pretty much live in a baseball hat as blocking the light from above is helpful. Visors down in vehicles (I wish there were side visors in addition to front visors). When it gets too bad, I sit in the back seat where I'm better protected from direct light. I have multiple sunglasses and now am trying FL-41 lenses.

I will be leaving Sunday to attend Mayo's PRC and while there my neuro opthamologist has arranged for me to be seen by a Mayo cornea specialist. I'm super excited for this and if I learn anything new about dry eye or photophobia, I will definitely share with all of you. My heart goes out to all who suffer.

Rachel

Jump to this post

yes lowering light, on t.v, has become normal in our house, also the need for the correct sunglasses, do help, provided you have to pick the right ones for the individual. I believe Jake mentioned the rose color THERA SPECS, they are all out there on line, we have gotten a few pairs, it does help to block the blue light. Adjusting to the light daily, little at a time is an option. Husband is now getting 2nd opinion at Bascom Palmer in West Palm Beach. I hope there is light at the end of all this !! thank you all for sharing!!

REPLY
Hank | @jesfactsmon | Oct 2, 2020
In reply to @rwinney "@jesfactsmon I hate to play favorites Hank but, you are one of mine!!!! For this reason..." + (show)
@rwinney

@jesfactsmon I hate to play favorites Hank but, you are one of mine!!!! For this reason right here. You are relentless when it comes to helping those in need. I love this simple, and from what it appears, effective solution. Thank you. thank you, thank you!!! I shall check these out. 😊👍🏻😎
Have a great day!
Rachel

Jump to this post

@rwinney
Very nice of you to say Rachel, thanks!

REPLY
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Oct 3, 2020

@sunny1971
Hello,
”Husband is now getting 2nd opinion at Bascom Palmer in West Palm Beach.”
That’s a very wise decision in my opinion. Hopefully they will be able to figure out the cause. An accurate diagnosis is the first step to knowing whether it may be treatable.
Wishes for a complete cure,
Jake

REPLY
sunnyflower | @sunnyflower | Oct 4, 2020
In reply to @rwinney "@jakedduck1 I was originally told photophobia was from my cornea disease and cataracts but, instead of..." + (show)
@rwinney

@jakedduck1 I was originally told photophobia was from my cornea disease and cataracts but, instead of the surgeries helping it as promised, surgeries made it worse. Then, my first neuro opthamologist blamed photophobia on scar tissue, from those very surgeries, and having blue eyes. 4 years and a neuropathy diagnosis later, a new neuro opthamologist agrees that neuropathy and dry eyes contribute. Hoping the Mayo Dr sheds more light. No pun intended. 😉

Jump to this post

Hi Rachel and @jakedduck1, @sunny1971, @lioness , @artscaping, @jesfactsmon I've been photosensitive since a very young child. My grandfather would tell me to quit squinting or I would have wrinkles when I'm grown. Now as most of you know, I have a myriad of diseases including but not limited to: auto-immune mixed connective/collagen vascular Dz, Fibromyalgia, Neuropathy and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction/Dry Eyes. I asked my Neurologist if I could see a neuroopthalmologist and I think I can but she first wants me to assess my double vision I'm having throught each day and, the lines of text I'm seeing beneath a line of text although a bit lighter. Sometimes these Sxs last over an hour. She wants me to close one eye and then the other, to see if I still have those Sxs. I know from talking to a pharmacist and research I've done that Gabapentin can cause vision changes. I also have a constant pattern of off white/light gray in my vision field at all times. My visual acuity is spot on but these things I mentioned, as well as just some weirdness I can't articulate, are really disturbing my vision. Do any of you have these Sxs? And if so, and you've seen a neuroopthalmologist, what have they said the problem was? Thanks so much and I feel very badly about all the problems you guys are having. Many blessings, Sunnyflower

REPLY
1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Oct 4, 2020
In reply to @sunnyflower "Hi Rachel and @jakedduck1, @sunny1971, @lioness , @artscaping, @jesfactsmon I've been photosensitive since a very young..." + (show)
@sunnyflower

Hi Rachel and @jakedduck1, @sunny1971, @lioness , @artscaping, @jesfactsmon I've been photosensitive since a very young child. My grandfather would tell me to quit squinting or I would have wrinkles when I'm grown. Now as most of you know, I have a myriad of diseases including but not limited to: auto-immune mixed connective/collagen vascular Dz, Fibromyalgia, Neuropathy and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction/Dry Eyes. I asked my Neurologist if I could see a neuroopthalmologist and I think I can but she first wants me to assess my double vision I'm having throught each day and, the lines of text I'm seeing beneath a line of text although a bit lighter. Sometimes these Sxs last over an hour. She wants me to close one eye and then the other, to see if I still have those Sxs. I know from talking to a pharmacist and research I've done that Gabapentin can cause vision changes. I also have a constant pattern of off white/light gray in my vision field at all times. My visual acuity is spot on but these things I mentioned, as well as just some weirdness I can't articulate, are really disturbing my vision. Do any of you have these Sxs? And if so, and you've seen a neuroopthalmologist, what have they said the problem was? Thanks so much and I feel very badly about all the problems you guys are having. Many blessings, Sunnyflower

Jump to this post

@sunnyflower Are you seeing a opthamologist for your eyes . I have macular degeneration and see double sometimes till I get my fog cleared up from my eyes . Its like I have a scum on my eyeballs that I have to wipe away. This is why I mention to it since you see Sxs and the lines . I have a chart I use to determine if my lines are wavy or stronger on one and lighter on the other .

REPLY
1 reply
sunnyflower | @sunnyflower | Oct 5, 2020
In reply to @lioness "@sunnyflower Are you seeing a opthamologist for your eyes . I have macular degeneration and see..." + (show)
@lioness

@sunnyflower Are you seeing a opthamologist for your eyes . I have macular degeneration and see double sometimes till I get my fog cleared up from my eyes . Its like I have a scum on my eyeballs that I have to wipe away. This is why I mention to it since you see Sxs and the lines . I have a chart I use to determine if my lines are wavy or stronger on one and lighter on the other .

Jump to this post

Hello lioness. Yes, I see both an Opthalmologist and a Retinal specialist b/c the over 20 years of Plaquenit aka hydroxychloroquine caused some tissue death on my retina. I'm seen regularly by both of these doctors. My husband read that the tissue death on my retina, could potentially keep worsening even though the Plaquenil has been discontinued. Scary but so far, no worsening. Interesting chart you speak of. Do you know the name of it? Thanks so much, Sunny

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