Extreme light sensitivity. What can be done?

@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

@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

@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!

@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!

@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

@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

@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. 😉

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

@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 .