Ruptured AVM: Has anyone dealt with photophobia?

@avmcbellar Yes, I do.

What helps your eyesight? As a result of the photophobia my eyes burn when trying to focus. I have tried the lubricant eye drops and gel solutions. They do help but my eyes still feel the strain.

@avmcbellar Flooding them with systane lubricating drops, UV protected sunglasses, avoidance of bright lights, direct sunlight and blue light. Wearing hats and sunglasses and the hardest one yet....staying off phone/computer or reading. Turn brightness down on screens and take visual breaks. Long breaks with eyes closed and then find a focal point at a distance.

@rwinney, thank you for the recommendations. Although it is difficult not to use the computer and phone, I limit my use and wear sunglasses while I do. I also wear sunglasses to watch some TV. Thanks again for your help. Is there any advise or help given by your neuro ophthalmologist? I will be visiting mine next week. I want to get a pair of glasses for far away and one for reading. Don’t know if there is a tint that will help.

@avmcbellar No problem. He dd not offer much at all unfortunately. I saw him many years ago after surgeries, which never helped photophobia. Another thing I've done is adjusted my TV brightness as well and I sit at an angle to watch it. (Thank goodness my husband has his man cave with his high def bright TV and I have my own!) And I just finished resting my eyes behind a blackout eye mask that I ordered through Amazon. It has molded eye cups and soft adjustable strap. I'm all ears if your neuro opthamologist has any insightful recommendations that you'd like to share. Good luck with your appointment.
Rachel

@rwinney Thanks. Absolutely, I will pass on any information I find helpful. I am considering purchasing a blackout mask as well through Amazon. My husband has been mentioning it. Which mask do you recommend? Do you also use it at night?

The brand is Sleepfun. I got a 2 pack for around $10. I use it to escape light when nothing else works. I had to give up night driving a couple years ago due to photophobia but, even as a passenger at night, I struggle with the lights and contrast of the darkness. The blackout mask was the only way I could ride at night. Also, the dentist lights hurt terribly so the mask has been a huge relief for cleanings and fillings. Sunglasses dont cut it for me in these circumstances.

@rwinney thanks, I ordered the blackout mask. Looks great for blocking light. Good idea for my dentist appointment which is coming up next week as well.

Yes. I have it, my son had it, and my grandson had it. I wear sunglasses and didn't go out in the sun a lot. I was told to have my five year old son wear glasses and I bought him a pair, he went to the park and came back without them. My grandson got laser surgery for near sighedness and it was very expensive due to large pupils. We have blue eyes and I have almost perfect vision still, I just wore sunglasses and stayed out of the sun mostly which is like many conditions, manage them and you will be okay. Large pupils is a sign of sexual arousal, and I worked in a hospital so I got a lot of attention from male doctors who may not have known about photophobia. My son asked what photophobia was and was told it meant he was afraid of light, he said No, I am usually afraid of the dark.It isn't a big deal.

Hi @dietgourmet. Thank you for your response. I have read some of the causes for photophia can be eye strain and eye dryness. Constant darkness can make it worse not better. I do get relief briefly from the lubricant eye drops and sunglasses. I discovered blocking the blue light emanating from light bulbs also helps, particularly fluorescent bulbs. The blue light can also be filtered from the Ipad and Iphone screens. These are some of the steps I took today. I am glad you found a solution that works best for you and thank you for sharing.