Light Sensitivity

Out with Incandescent Light Bulbs, In with Dangerous Replacements

Compact Fluorescents and LEDs Bad News for Sufferers of Migraines, Epilepsy and Lupus

Save the Bulb

The bad health effects of the phasing out of incandescent light bulbs. The replace bulbs (compact fluorescent light bulbs, halogen lights, LED lights, etc.) cause bad health problems for many people.

Spectrum Alliance

Campaigning for the approximately 2 million people in the UK adversely affected by modern lighting.

Incandescent light bulb bows out to mixed applause

Lee Tomkins, director of Migraine Action, is urging sufferers to stockpile the old-fashioned bulbs before retailers run out, while the the Royal National Institute of Blind People suggests using tungsten halogen bulbs instead of energy-saving bulbs in hallways and stairs.

LED back-lighting giving me headaches?

Yes, it seems that LED -lit screens are giving people sever headaches and nausea.

Migraines and LED lighting

People's experiences with the new LED lights in offices.

New Types of Light Bulb and Migraines

A list of interesting articles on this topic.

Can you explain my aversion to bright lights?

"My research colleagues and I then decided to look a little deeper and found that both ends of the spectrum (that is, blue and red) were implicated. Red light is prominent in strip lighting and patients often complain of this type of lighting in the Outpatients Department when attending headache clinics. The Department of Transport is interested in the impact of the blue-tinged high powered headlights now being fitted to many executive cars."

Virtually extinct - the pearl light bulb banned by Europe

"My epileptic child cannot tolerate these new bulbs as they induce her to fit - we spend a small fortune hunting down the old sort. Why were the health problems with these not considered before enforcing the ban on the previous (and much better) bulbs?"

Health problems with energy-saving light bulbs

Aren't energy saving light bulbs a danger to your health? I've heard they can cause migraines?

Some people have concerns that energy saving bulbs pose a risk to human health. Some of the most common concerns are: Migraine... Epilepsy... Skin concerns...

Super-Bright Car Headlights and Daytime Running Lights

More road accidents -- and more migraines!

Lightmare

Website campaigning against the use of blinding lights on cars, including as headlights, brake and fog lights and daytime running lights. These dazzling lights include HID (high intensity discharge) lights.

It aims to "fight the growing road safety issue of blinding lights which affect a driver's ability to perceive hazards. The Authorities are allowing this 'Lightmare' to escalate, they are putting the most vulnerable and less conspicuous road users at risk - pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists."

Blinded by Xenon

Have you bought a new car lately and been told your new lights are much brighter but don't worry as it will pass the government test? This was a lie.

Association of Drivers against Daytime Running Lights [UK]

Daytime Running Lights (DRL) are a violation of the Declaration of Human Rights Act. Tragically the Association of Drivers against Daytime Running Lights have real evidence that DRL do not save the EU predicted 10-15% of accidents but in reality are KILLING and INJURING EU citizens.

Campaign launched over 'dazzling' HID car headlamps

A row is developing among car enthusiasts and road users about the potential risks of super-bright headlights.

The headlamps - called HIDs and commonly referred to as bi-xenon - are much brighter than traditional headlights and are sold as a safety feature. But some road-users claim they are often dazzled by the lights, making pedestrians and cyclists difficult to see.

Headlight-Reform.org

This is a page about unecessary, overly bright Daytime Running Lights that started with Saturn and are spreading to other vehicles like a disease. And about headlights that in general have become far, far too bright.

Lights Out - Association of Drivers Against Daytime Running Lights [USA]

"The Association of Drivers Against Daytime Running Lights [USA] - DADRL - is actively working to stop governments and manufacturers from installing Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) on motor vehicles. There is no conclusive evidence to show that DRLs are effective at reducing crashes. Rather, there are a number of safety-negative side effects of DRLs on automobiles, including emitting excessive glare to other drivers, masking of other vulnerable road users, and increased energy consumption."

Look at the Links page for more important websites.

Headlight Consumer Complaints

72 consumer complaints about the new generation of extremely bright headlights.

Blinding Lights etc.

Taxi driver's experiences with bright car lights on the streets of London.

The Plight With Light

Interesting articles from Dr. Peter Heilig, professor of ophthalmology at the University of Vienna, on human eyes and bright artificial light.

All things bright and debatable

European legislation on daytime running lights won't enhance road safety. In fact, quite the contrary, says Howard Redwood.

Safety fears raised over mandatory daytime vehicle lights

A recent change in UK law meaning that all new cars and small commercial vehicles sold in the country must be fitted with daytime running lights has prompted safety concerns. Members of the main anti-daytime running lights (DRLs) group, Lightmare, say the high-intensity LED lights used significantly increase risk for cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists by obscuring their presence.

Austrian Parliament ban on DRLs

If the Austrian Parliament can ban DRL on 01 January 2008 in defiance of the EU then surely the UK Government can follow suit.

Ophthalmologist Professor Peter Haider on dangers of DRL and HID Xenon lights

Impaired Perception in Driving and Sports by Prof. Peter Heilig graphically demonstrates why the neuro-physiological effects of DRL and HID Xenon lights can contribute to accidents.

Over-illumination

Over-illumination

Over-illumination is the presence of lighting intensity (illuminance) beyond that required for a specified activity. Clinical studies show that excessive levels of artificial light produce annoyance and health effects in a large fraction of the population. These effects may depend on the spectrum of the light as well as the overall brightness.

Light Sensitivity on the Internet

Natural Migraine Relief Glasses Compete in "Innovation Idol: Superhero Edition"

According to Axon Optics, a University of Utah spinout, over 90% of migraine sufferers are sensitive to light - a condition called photophobia. The FL-41 glasses use a special coating that can block the light that triggers migraines. (...) Photophobia is the focus of several studies through the University of Utah Moran Eye Center. The Center's studies show that FL-41 tint does reduce light sensitivity. Axon Optics plans to release its next generation migraine lenses this summer and is also working on developing contact lenses that reduce light sensitivity.

FL-41: New Scientific Validation For "Rose-Colored Glasses"

Summary of the pathophysiology of photophobia and some strategies (including rose-tinted sunglasses) to cope with this condition.

Bright lights trigger

Migrainepage Discussion Forum has a number of discussion threads on bright lights and migraine. This is one of them.

Specially-tinted spectacles (NOT sunglasses) which might help

They are not that expensive. Why not them a go?

TheraSpecs

"TheraSpecs... an effective new natural migraine treatment that also helps with photophobia (painful light sensitivity) and sensitivity to fluorescent lights..."

"Unlike flat-front glasses, TheraSpecs are designed to maximize relief with wrap lenses that block unfiltered light and lightweight, flexible frames that are gentle on already-sensitive heads."

Mediview Spectacles

Spectacle filters which are "designed to stop the particular light waves responsible for troublesome symptoms specific to each condition (including: glare, contrast & definition loss, poor dark adaptation, and headaches) and to protect the eyes against their harmful effects".

Migralens

"Our migraine glasses, MigraLens® are an alternative to drugs that help with migraine treatment. They absorb the red and blue areas of the spectrum, reducing the flicker and glare that is a common trigger of migraine symptoms or cause of photosensitivity in sufferers."

Irlen Institute

This colored-lens technology can reduce light sensitivity.