New User with light sensitivity wonder if you have an idea that can help

[mlev]

I have suffered from discomfort when I sit in a room (or a restaurant) with my face to the window speaking to someone with his back to the window.
Over 12 years ago I noticed that the light from behind the person after a 30 minute- 1 hr interview or meeting was disturbing. Today I am more aware of it so it is disturbing pretty much from the start. At first I didn't notice this but over the years it became more disturbing especially in the last few months. today I feel that I am also slightly exerting my eyes to look at things although i see quite good and don't need glasses at all for ddistance and just last week was diagnosed with +0.25 or +0.50 for my left eye and +1.5 for reading glases although I feel that I see fine.

In 2008 I had a number of times when a day in the office (with fluerecent lighs) would end in tension like pain in the back side of my eyes, (mostly left) and I would actually hold my eye for a few long seconds on my way driving home. Since I left that office I may have only had this pain a couple of times. However the sensitivity is stronger, one other way to describe it is that in the last year even when I sit and work on a computer (the light from which doesn't bother me at any level), but a light from the side coming from the out side like the light of a light colored wall on a sunny day reflecting through the wndow or even on a cloudy day the light coming in from the side disturbs me. Light from a lamp in a room, concentrated from one direction (assuming i watch TV and a lamp is next to the screen or in an angle somewhere bewtwwen me and the screen on the side then the feeling is similar and may make me uncomfortable. (I was tested thoutougly in the last year, pressure and other tests and nothing was found. Only about a week ago a Dr found out I need +1.5 for reading as my focus isn't right. BTW I am 44 years old.


My Dr suggested I also need to do a ERG retina test. and its scheduled for next month. But I have no cluse what that would tell.

In recent months I also have noticed that I am exerting more and that a muscle in my forehead right in the center and right between the eyebrows is contracting for extended periods (long minutes and more, its not the flickering spasm that most people feel its actually contracting for a continuous period of time and I try everything to stop it...massaging the forehead the cheeks, eyes, whole head, nose etc.. nothing really makes it stop but long relaxation with eyes closed or sleep.).

Finally I am pretty certain that I am more sensitive than before to the light when oncoming cars are coming toward me, not to mention if with high beams or are at an angle up when we are across from eachother at an intersection.

Whats interesting is that when I go out to the sun i'm fine without sun glasses.


I was told that pin hole glasses may help but i don't want to become dependent on something.. I want to cure this. Any idea for what this may be and how to treat/cure it?
Sincerely

Thanks MLev
MMLEV7@gmail.com

[MBC]

light sensativity

Hi

I have the same problem with extreme light sensativity and it took a while for me to figure out how to deal. I have three pairs of sunglasses in varying levels of darkness - no expensive ones. I wear each one as needed even at night when I have to drive and the lights from other cards are blinding me. I wear them in stores with florescent lights and any other time, indoors and outdoors, in restaurants, etc. If I need them I wear them. I am at the point where protection of my eyes are more important than the fact that people think I am strange because I wear sunglasses an inappropriate times. I know you are looking for a cure and this is not it. However I have been doing this for two years and plain, cheap simple sunglasses whenever you need them are most uslful

[Storm]

Sensitive to Light

You may just need to have good glasses. I have MGD now; but for years (14 years) I could not tolerate office lighting when my eyeclass perscription changed and I had not yet got glasses. For some people they get headaches; for me my eyes got really sore and very sensitive to light. New glasses fixed that problem every time.

Now with MGD I cannot tolerate office light at all; but I can tolerate sunlight. Sunlight is the best light to read with as long as its not too bright. If you do computer work, try using computer glasses (ie single lense persciption not the fancy 3 distance vision ones)

Driving at night is very difficult for me now because of the lights and the car movement. I try not to drive any distance at night.

[mgshutterbug]

Glasses worn all waking hrs...

I've had marked light sensitivity since I was a child. But now with the myriad of eye problems I now have, the light sensitivity is extreme. I use dark sunglasses when outside, tinted ones for my progressive lenses for indoors, and clear for my computer glasses (bifocals). All 3 are moisture chamber glasses from 7eye. I am unable to just sit and take my glasses off for a few minutes, or to take the air shields out and use the glasses without. I think we just get acccustomed to doing what we have to do. I'm still a bit self-conscious about the moisture-chamber glasses. They're not exactly attractive, they are way too big for my face - Ziennas. But they beat the alternative!! Good luck!
Maria

[Hopeful2]

Hi Maria,

Glad to hear the moisture chamber glasses are helpful. I found the Ziennas to be too big as well. Apparently, 7eye is coming out with a smaller version of the Zienna for spring 2012!

[UGH_my_eyes]

Welcome!

All kinds of good info here just seconds away at your fingertips. I've learned more here than I have from the handful of doctors I have seen.

My personal advice is keep going to doctors until you get answers/solutions. I saw three optometrists before finally biting the bullet and seeing a corneal specialist. Finally got diagnosed with cataracts, a minor case but one that explains my symptoms of halos and dazzling glare around lights. Only it appears worse because of dry eye syndrome and the reflex tearing it comes with....I'm still under 40 and couldn't believe I had a "elderly person's disease" but that's the verdict. And from what i hear, not that uncommon for doctors to miss in examination in less obvious cases....

In your case it's probably nothing serious. But in the meantime you can work on management until you get solutions. You can get antiglare glasses. They can put anti-glare coating on just about any kind of glasses you have. It may or may not help.... You can also get anti glare night vision goggles that help with night driving. I use these dorky looking things:

http://www.amazon.com/Night-Vision-W...5808470&sr=8-3

Not stylish but somewhat effective and the price was nice.

Also, I changed the bulbs around the house to lower illumination. When watching tv or reading, I put towels over the lamp shades and that makes it easier to tolerate light.

Even if it seems the sun does not bother you, I would sill wear sunglasses at all times out there for protection. At least until you get to the bottom of your problem.

Best regards.