Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Sensitivity to Bright Artificial Lighting?

Not pain, not inflammation, not Uveitis, not dry eye, but I've been having terrible problems with bright artificial new compact fluorescent lighting in a lecture hall they have me teaching in this fall, for the first time.

The lights make it so I can't think while in there, and then for the rest of the day I have a bit of a migraine and my eyes can't seem to focus the entire rest of the day.

If I turn the lights down low, they're too low for the students. Up brighter and they do all that stuff above to me, and a few students complained.

I tried wearing sunglasses, but that wasn't good enough.

I did have them change some of the lighting which I'll try out tomorrow and will wear sunglasses and plan to get special glasses designed for fluorescent lighting and.....

I doubt this is related to the spondy or the dry eyes, but thought just in case, I'd ask here if anyone else responds negatively to bright / artificial / fluorescent lighting.

Today I wore my sunglasses in a lab where I thought the lighting was OK for me. And noticed I had a lot more energy...thus realizing that the fluorescent lights in there make me fatigued, and wonder how many other rooms around here are impacting my health and well-being?

So I may be on to something, just don't know what.

I did go to the eye doctor yesterday (ophthalmologist) and he did a quick exam and it wasn't anything obvious. Not the dry eye, eyes haven't been hurting in at least a month or so. And just to rule out dry eye, I used my systane drops, but no, the drops didn't help me to be able to refocus, the world was still a blur the rest of the day.

But as usual, I stumped the doctor. At least we ruled out anything serious with my eyes.

Wonder if its also why I have trouble in some stores....like walmart...I assumed it was just too big and overwhelming...but now wonder if their bright lights are affecting me....so I just don't shop there.....grocery stores can do it to me too...where I start to feel like a zombie and have a hard time focussing my eyesight.

Anyone that can give me any advice, thanks.

Yep! I wear tinted glasses everywhere. May I suggest Zenni Optical?!

Thanks Erica, will check that out.

Any specific color tint that you think works better than another?

Have you ever heard of theraspecs? Was thinking about a pair of those.

http://www.theraspecs.com

Hi Sue, I have a severe sensitivity to UV(b) rays - which is a component of fluorescent lighting. Rashes/no energy/vomiting - are reasons I don't go out to stores/or for walks when the sun is out. I am looking into using LED lighting for my home. Even the spiral tube fluorescent lights are problematic. I have specialized glasses that stop UV(b) rays from getting to my eyes.
Hugs Gerri, Makaylah and Shiloh

PS: Makaylah and Shiloh send kisses as well - they think their kisses help anyone's ailing problems - to be honest I believe their kisses do help.

Gerri

No advice, other than I also get sick when in fluorescents too long. A general ill feeling, headachy, nausea, achey eyes. But this also happens during daylight at times. Some days I'll feel horrid and the sun goes down and feel normal. I think I'm a vampire. I have assumed it's an autoimmune thing, my doctors are not helpful and one of them gave me a quiz for depression when I described these symptoms.

Gerri - what glasses do you use?

Thanks, MaryCay

Agree with everyone else - all the same problems. Hate those blasted lights - also raises my blood pressure. Makes me feel really really ill.

And ditto for bright daylight. I wear a sun visor, and for indoors, a tinted perspex sun visor - which is also useful in the rain, as keeps rain off specs and can see through the perspex.

I seem to be in the same boat - although outdoor light seems to be somewhat easier as long as I make sure I have good sunglasses and maybe a hat too. I have worked in many a hospital with terrible fluorescent lighting and almost always had trouble sleeping and headaches /nausea after long shifts ....I think tinted glasses and keeping your eyes hydrated are good places to start

Not really noticed any particular types of lighting, but bright sunlight is awful for me - fuzzy head, fatigue, and then slightly migrainous headache. One reason I feel much better living in the very north of Scotland rather than in the antipodes.

Sue22,
Sorry to hear that you’re suffering from photophobia.
I have suffered from extreme photophobia now for around 6 years. I have AS, from the age of 21. A lot older now. Had my first & only iritis flare around 6 years ago now. I have no active inflammation within my effected eye now for around 6 years. I now have to wear cat 4 wrap around sunglasses all of the time, indoors & out. Sunlight & artificial light a real killer for me. Wearing very dark sunglasses, now a way of life for me. I have had 6 years to try & get over the vanity issues relating to this. I also work. Find it hard to read, for obvious reasons.
There's a reason why you’re experiencing your light issues. Not always easy to find out the reason's why.
Best wishes

Thanks everyone for your input.

We made some changes which helped.

But still I need to pursue further.

More later.....

Again, thanks