You’ve probably seen the warning: "This program contains flashing lights that may affect viewers who are sensitive to light." These notices aren’t just legal disclaimers—they exist to protect people who can experience seizures or other adverse effects from certain visual triggers. If you’ve ever wondered how flashing lights can impact the brain, here are the 10 key things you should know.

Can flashing or blinking lights actually trigger a seizure?

Yes, in some people, flashing, blinking, or strobing lights can trigger seizures—especially when the flashes are bright, rapid, and repetitive and viewed at close range. This type of response is most often linked to a form of epilepsy known as photosensitive epilepsy, where certain visual patterns or light frequencies can overstimulate the brain. While this is relatively rare—occurring in up to 1 in 4000 people—it’s a well-documented phenomenon, and it can affect both children and adults.¹ People who are sensitive may react to things like strobe lights, fast-paced video games, or even sunlight flickering through trees while driving.

What kinds of seizures are caused by flashing lights? What types of epilepsy are most susceptible?

Flashing or flickering lights can trigger seizures in people with certain types of epilepsy, especially those with generalized epilepsy, where seizures affect both sides of the brain. These types of epilepsy are often inherited and include conditions like Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy, Dravet Syndrome, and Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy, all of which can make a person more sensitive to visual triggers.

There are also rare epilepsy syndromes like Sunflower Syndrome, where seizures are triggered by sunlight. More specifically, children with unique disorder are drawn to sunlight and may wave their fingers in front of their eyes during an episode. These movements are often part of the seizure itself and may be followed by eye blinking, staring spells, or even full-body convulsions.

How do flashing lights lead to seizures in the brain?

When pulsing lights enter your eyes, they send signals to the part of the brain that processes vision. In some people, especially those with light-sensitive seizures, these signals can cause the brain to react too strongly. Doctors can sometimes confirm this by using a test called an EEG, where flashing lights are shown while the brain’s electrical activity is recorded. In people who are sensitive, the EEG shows a specific pattern of increased brain activity in sync with the flashes. This overactive response can then lead to a seizure.

Who is most at risk for flashing light-triggered seizures?

As mentioned, people with photosensitive epilepsy and other epilepsy syndromes may be most susceptible to seizures brought on by light flashes. Children and teenagers are even more likely to experience them, as epilepsy is frequently diagnosed in childhood. However, it is worth noting that research also suggests that more than half of children who have visually-provoked seizures outgrow their sensitivity as they reach adulthood.

Women in general also have a higher risk for photosensitive seizures, and it may even be hereditary: one study found that children of women with visually-provoked seizures have about a 25% chance of showing an abnormal brain response to flashing lights on EEG, though only around half of those children go on to develop epilepsy.¹

Additionally, there seems to be a higher risk for the development of co-morbid migraine and epilepsy; in fact, people with migraine may have a 3x risk of developing epilepsy when compared with other types of headaches. Given the prominent visual disruptions associated with migraine, this may further increase their risk of light-triggered seizures or discomfort.²

Even without a formal epilepsy diagnosis, people can experience photosensitive seizures caused by flashing or strobing lights—although it is rare.

Can flashing lights cause seizures without epilepsy?

By definition, visually-provoked seizures are epileptic events, but a person can experience them without being formally diagnosed with epilepsy. In particular, many people without epilepsy can show signs of brain hyperreactivity when exposed to flashing or triggering light—known as a photoparoxysmal response (PPR).

It also seems to be more common in childhood, with some estimates suggesting that nearly 10% of healthy kids may exhibit these photosensitive reactions to light without epilepsy. But even so, this does not automatically guarantee the occurrence of seizures; it only means that their brain activity puts them at higher risk.

What types of light are most triggering?

The most triggering lights are those that flash or flicker at certain speeds, especially in the range of 3 to 30 flashes per second (or hertz). This frequency is particularly likely to provoke seizures in people with photosensitivity, with 15–20 Hz being the most common trouble zone. Intense flashing or blinking lights during concerts, while playing video games or watching movies, flashes from fireworks, emergency vehicles, all pose a threat to people with a seizure risk.

But it's not just the flashing itself—how and where the light is viewed can make a big difference. Watching at a close distance, viewing on a large screen, or being in a dark room with a bright flashing source are all more likely to aggravate a sensitive brain.

Provoking patterns, especially if they feature movement or vibration, can complicate symptoms too; about 1/3rd of people who are sensitive to flickering light are also sensitive to patterns. It’s why sunlight flickering through trees while riding in a moving car is one of the most common complaints for sensitive individuals.

Manage Light Sensitivity with Confidence

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Can using a computer or viewing screens trigger a seizure?

Watching TV, viewing videos on a smartphone, or working on a computer is not automatically dangerous for people with light-sensitive seizures. In fact, most modern screens—like LED monitors, laptops, and newer flat-panel TVs—are much safer than older models, which were more likely to flicker at seizure-provoking rates. The fact that many devices have relatively small screen sizes also makes it less likely that they will bring about a seizure, but the risk is not zero.

The real concern comes from what’s on the screen, not just the screen itself. Bright flashes, fast scene changes, or patterns that move rapidly (like spinning wheels or flashing bars) are more likely to trigger seizures—especially when viewed up close, on large or curved screens, or in a dark room. High-intensity video games, music videos, or movies with quick editing and strobe effects can be much more triggering than everyday computer work like reading, typing, or browsing the web.

How can I better manage seizures caused by flashing or blinking lights?

The best way to reduce the risk is to exercise caution around known triggers. In some cases, this may mean avoiding situations or environments that you know can aggravate your episodes. If you do suddenly encounter flashing lights or intense visual patterns, covering one eye with your hand and looking away is a simple, fast way to lower your chance of having a seizure. (Just closing your eyes isn't enough, as light can still pass through your eyelids and may even make things worse.)

There are also general habits that can help reduce overall seizure risk:

• Get enough sleep and manage stress
• Take medications as prescribed
• Limit time spent on video games or intense visual media
• Sit farther back from screens, lower the brightness and contrast, and keep the room well-lit while using electronic devices

On some phones, websites, and apps, you can also disable autoplay videos, reduce motion or flashing effects, and turn on screen safety features that reduce high-contrast visuals.

Tinted eyewear for photosensitivity can also help reduce risk for many people.

How do specialty-tinted glasses reduce the risk of flashing or strobing lights?

Although any type of exposure to intense light sources is a concern, evidence suggests that certain wavelengths may be more problematic than others—specifically light in the red part of the spectrum (580-700nm).³ These wavelengths pose the biggest threat to activating the seizure-causing response in the brain.

As a result, specialty glasses that filter this light can offer protection against flashing light exposure. They do not have to be polarized, but they must strongly filter the irritating wavelengths in order to be maximally effective, which often gives the lenses a deep blue tint.⁴ Dark and polarized sunglasses are also an option, especially for daytime activities that result in exposure to bright sunlight.

If your photosensitive seizures are complicated by more traditional light sensitivity (e.g. you have also been diagnosed with migraine), then FL-41 glasses might be an option to mitigate the impact of intrusive light.

Are there any rules about giving seizure warnings before flashing or strobing content?

In most places, there are no strict laws that require movies or TV shows to include seizure warnings for flashing lights or strobe effects. However, some content creators and streaming platforms choose to include these warnings voluntarily—especially if a scene includes intense flashing or visual effects that could be triggering for people with photosensitivity.

Video games, on the other hand, are more commonly required to include warnings about seizure risks. In the U.S., for example, games often include a photosensitivity warning as part of their standard health and safety guidelines.

Because these warnings aren’t guaranteed, it’s always a good idea for people with light-triggered epilepsy to approach new visual content with caution—especially when watching action-heavy shows, movies, or music videos.

Can people with this type of visual sensitivity live a normal life?

Yes, they absolutely can. Living with light-triggered seizures or visual sensitivity can feel overwhelming at times, especially when everyday environments include things like flashing screens or bright lights. But with some awareness, planning, and support, many people find they can manage their triggers and still do the things they enjoy.

Whether it’s adjusting screen settings, using protective glasses, or simply knowing when to take breaks, small changes can make a big difference. It might take some trial and error to figure out what works best for you, but you're not alone—and with the right strategies, this condition doesn’t have to hold you back from living a full and active life.

Primary Reference:

Kasteleijn-Nolst Trenité D, Acharya J, Baumer FM, et al. Frequently asked questions and answers on Visually-Provoked (Photosensitive) epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav Rep. 2025;30:100753. Published 2025 Feb 10. doi:10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100753

Additional References:

¹Fisher RS, Acharya JN, Baumer FM, et al. Visually sensitive seizures: An updated review by the Epilepsy Foundation. Epilepsia. 2022;63(4):739-768. doi:10.1111/epi.17175

²Kasteleijn-Nolst Trenité DG, Verrotti A, Di Fonzo A, et al. Headache, epilepsy and photosensitivity: how are they connected?. J Headache Pain. 2010;11(6):469-476. doi:10.1007/s10194-010-0229-9

³AlDajani BA, Uzair M, Qaiser H, et al. Evaluating the Potential of Light Exposure on Reducing the Frequency of Epileptic Seizures. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2024;23(4):463-467. doi:10.2174/1871527322666230407104706

³Capovilla G, Gambardella A, Rubboli G, et al. Suppressive efficacy by a commercially available blue lens on PPR in 610 photosensitive epilepsy patients. Epilepsia. 2006;47(3):529-533. doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2006.00463.x

Greg Bullock is a director at TheraSpecs and a leading author on light sensitivity. His insights have been featured by government agencies, advocacy groups, and other prominent media outlets.

Last updated 29th July 2025

If you’ve ever felt like your sleep and your migraines are in constant battle with each other, you’re not imagining it. The connection between sleep and migraine is complex, dynamic, and deeply intertwined. People with migraine often experience disrupted sleep, and in turn, those sleep disturbances can trigger or worsen migraine attacks.

Understanding how sleep and migraine influence one another—as well as the role that light and light sensitivity play—can be a powerful step in managing symptoms and improving overall well-being.

How Migraine Disrupts Sleep (and Vice Versa)

People living with migraine are at a significantly higher risk for experiencing a wide range of sleep impairments. These issues include insomnia, trouble falling asleep, frequent nighttime awakenings (including headaches that wake them up), and non-restorative sleep. There is even evidence that connects migraine to a whole host of sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome.^1,2

The relationship goes both ways too.

Experts have suggested that there may be as much as FOUR TIMES greater risk for developing migraine if you experience impaired sleeping patterns. In addition, changes in your usual sleep schedule can be a major trigger for an attack, especially the next day. Sneaking in an extra hour of sleep, for instance, may lead to what some researchers have called a “weekend migraine”—a phenomenon where sleeping in on your day off or while on vacation can set off an attack.³ Inconsistent sleep patterns, whether from travel, late nights, or stress, can have a similar effect.

Sleep disruptions don’t affect everyone with migraine the same way, either. Women and individuals over the age of 35 may feel the weight of the combined effect of migraine and poor sleep. This can lead to a greater overall burden: more frequent and intense attacks, increased anxiety and depression, and a significant impact on quality of life.⁴

Sleep For Migraine Relief

While any change in sleep can be a trigger, proper rest can be a source of relief as well. Many people with migraine find that sleeping through a migraine attack—if they can—can actually reduce their symptoms.² However, this effect may not be as relieving for everybody, especially if you are chronic, and it can be generally difficult to sleep through an attack. So it is not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Ultimately, this reinforces how central and interconnected the sleep-migraine relationship really is—and how important it is to optimize sleep patterns whenever possible.

Why Migraine And Sleep Are Interconnected

Beyond lifestyle triggers, there may be biological reasons why sleep and migraine are so deeply connected. Researchers have found that certain brain chemicals and regions play roles in both sleep regulation and migraine development.

For example, dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in mood, sleep, and pain processing, may contribute to pre-attack symptoms in migraine.⁵ This could explain why many people report yawning, drowsiness, or fatigue in the hours leading up to an attack. These symptoms point to a shared physiological mechanism, rather than just a coincidence.

The Role of Light and Light Sensitivity

No conversation about migraine and sleep would be complete without mentioning light sensitivity—a symptom experienced by the vast majority of people with migraine. Known medically as photophobia, this sensitivity can result in worse sleep-related outcomes; and the more sensitive to light you are, the more negatively impacted your sleep may be.⁶

Beyond general light exposure, certain types of light—especially blue light from screens and devices—can significantly disrupt the body's natural sleep rhythm. Studies have shown that blue light in the evening can:^7,8

• Suppress melatonin production (a hormone that regulates sleep)
• Make it harder to fall and stay asleep
• Lead to less deep, restorative sleep
• Increase feelings of fatigue and tiredness the next day

For people with migraine, who already have a heightened sensitivity to certain blue light, this kind of light exposure can make them more vulnerable. It can create an unpleasant loop whereby light impacts restful sleep and aggravates migraine symptoms, then further impaired sleep results from migraine progression, migraine heightens sensitivity to light and affects your sleep the next day, and so forth.

Even with all this knowledge about how light sensitivity compounds sleep and migraine, the answer cannot be to avoid light altogether.

In fact, those with migraine tend to seek out a dark room or minimize their light exposure in order to reduce the possibility of it triggering their attacks. But this lack of light could backfire and have negative consequences on your circadian rhythms, and research has even shown that seeking out light improves sleep quality in a variety of ways.⁶

Tips for Managing Sleep and Migraine

The good news is that there are practical steps you can take to break this cycle. Here are a few suggestions for improving sleep and better managing your migraine symptoms:

• Stay regular with your migraine medications. It is important to continue to take any acute or preventative migraine medications, per your doctor’s instructions, as they can help manage your symptoms and related effects.
• Maintain a regular sleep schedule. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day—even on weekends.
• Limit screen time in the evening. Avoid bright devices for at least an hour before bed. If that’s not possible, consider using screen filters or other options for filtering sleep-disrupting blue light; but again, this only applies to the 1-2 hours before you plan to go to sleep.
• Create a sleep-friendly environment. Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Blackout curtains and soft, warm lighting can help reduce stimulation.
• Address light sensitivity. As discussed, you don’t want to completely eliminate light, so find resources that can help you manage your exposure to the most irritating wavelengths. By filtering the most problematic light, TheraSpecs glasses may help people to live well with migraine, as part of an overall light management plan.
• Track patterns and triggers. Keep a migraine diary to note sleep changes and how they relate to your symptoms. Work with your doctor to identify possible improvements.

References:

¹Tiseo C, Vacca A, Felbush A, et al. Migraine and sleep disorders: a systematic review. J Headache Pain. 2020;21(1):126. doi:10.1186/s10194-020-01192-5

²Vgontzas A, Pavlović JM. Sleep Disorders and Migraine: Review of Literature and Potential Pathophysiology Mechanisms. Headache. 2018;58(7):1030-1039. doi:10.1111/head.13358

³Waliszewska-Prosół M, Nowakowska-Kotas M, Chojdak-Łukasiewicz J, Budrewicz S. Migraine and Sleep-An Unexplained Association?. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(11):5539. doi:10.3390/ijms22115539

⁴Duan S, Ren Z, Xia H, Wang Z, Zheng T, Liu Z. Association between sleep quality, migraine and migraine burden. Front Neurol. 2022;13:955298. doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.955298

⁵Barbanti P, Fofi L, Aurilia C, Egeo G. Dopaminergic symptoms in migraine. Neurol Sci. 2013;34(1):67–70. doi:10.1007/s10072-013-1415-8

⁶Sharp N, Burish MJ, Digre KB, et al. Photophobia is associated with lower sleep quality in individuals with migraine: results from the American Registry for Migraine Research (ARMR). J Headache Pain. 2024;25(1):55. doi:10.1186/s10194-024-01756-9

⁷Ishizawa M, Uchiumi T, Takahata M, Yamaki M, Sato T. Effects of pre-bedtime blue-light exposure on ratio of deep sleep in healthy young men. Sleep Med. 2021;84:303-307. doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2021.05.046

⁸Nagata JM, Singh G, Yang JH, et al. Bedtime screen use behaviors and sleep outcomes: Findings from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. Sleep Health. 2023;9(4):497-502. doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2023.02.005

TheraSpecs® Company, the leading brand of precision-tinted glasses for different types of light sensitivity, today announced multiple new product lines designed to protect from an even wider range of irritating light sources. As the first company to offer such a line directly to consumers, TheraSpecs is positioned to help millions of light-sensitive people embrace light with more confidence.

The significant expansion in the company’s catalog includes its original indoor glasses and outdoor sunglasses, both of which elevate the FL-41 tint and have been a cornerstone of the light management toolkits of their customers. They’ve been made even better with the addition of premium optical coatings that further reduce scratches, smudges, and glare.

New to the TheraSpecs lineup are additional FL-41 lens options for greater flexibility, multiple lens tints for protection while driving at night, as well as lenses that filter the harsh wavelengths associated with flashing lights and unwanted blue light that may be affecting sleeping patterns.

TheraSpecs’ seven lens types, are:

Most of the lens types now come in multiple strengths to further accommodate the unique needs of customers. Additionally, TheraSpecs offers a wide selection of frames as well as prescription and reader options.

Previously these types of tints were only available through specialty optical sources, difficult to produce accurately, and of varying quality and reliability. As a result of combing through decades of published, peer-reviewed research on light and filtering of selected wavelengths, TheraSpecs Company has developed one of the most comprehensive offerings of lens tints for different lighting situations and customer needs. Their catalog of high-quality, tested, affordable, reliably protective eyewear can be conveniently purchased at theraspecs.com.

With these new lens offerings, more people will be able to experience the life-changing impact of TheraSpecs, like Niki, who shared this recently:

Order today and experience the benefits that TheraSpecs glasses can have for you!

*TheraSpecs Flex and Contrast HEV transmit approximately 90% of all light, making it compliant with traffic laws in most places for night driving. However, users are responsible for ensuring their use complies with all applicable traffic regulations and that road lighting is sufficient for safe use. Always drive responsibly and remain attentive to the road and lighting conditions, traffic signals, and other vehicles.

With a new year almost upon us, we wanted to reflect on and share in the big and small joys that put a smile on our face in 2022. For starters, we added more frame colors to two of our most popular styles, Mercer and Pilot, so you can have even more stylish options for your relief. *Hint, hint: We're hoping 2023 will be an even bigger year for new frame styles and colors!

We were also featured in some of the most prominent online publications, including WebMD, Glamour and SELF magazine. These features help us further our mission by reaching more people that we can help with our eyewear—not to mention that the recommendations themselves come from incredibly well-respected headache specialists, neurologists and patient advocates.

But mostly, this year was about you, about the wins that you experienced in 2022. You all made our glasses part of thousands of memories throughout the year, from your average everyday morning commute that was made more comfortable to those special moments with family and friends that would not have happened otherwise. Here are just a handful of the ones that gave us all the feels:

The effects that digital screens have on our eyes and brain can be vast, from instigating acute (and often temporary) pain for healthy people to aggravating light-sensitive conditions like migraine and post-concussion syndrome. Dry eye is another condition associated with light sensitivity and can be greatly impacted by screen time. We examine how screens can wreak havoc on those prone to dry eyes.

How Do Screens and Screen Time Affect Dry Eye?

Millions of people know what it feels like to have dry eyes after working too long on the computer and/or looking at a smartphone device. In fact, dry eyes are frequently one of many physiological symptoms that can result from digital eye strain and computer vision syndrome. According to a survey by The Vision Council, nearly 60% of American adults have reported the negative effects of excessive screen time, with dry eyes affecting one in four respondents.

Another study showed that more than 30% of office workers had dry eye symptoms as a result of using the computer.¹ In particular, experts have suggested that dry eye was the root cause for a constellation of physical complaints associated with digital eye strain, including:

• Headaches
• Sensitivity to light
• Itchy eyes
• Eye pain and burning

It is also important to distinguish between temporary symptoms of dry eye and dry eye disease (DED). Some people have a chronic or recurring issue where they are unable to produce enough tears for proper eye health, and the use of any screens—let alone overexposure to them—has been linked to higher rates of dry eye disease.²

Others who have migraine or suffered a traumatic brain injury are more susceptible to the complications of dry eye, and screen time consistently has been reported as a “trigger” for their symptoms.^3-4 And there are literally dozens of conditions that can be aggravated by screen light and may also lead to dry, irritated or inflamed eyes.

How Much Screen Time is Too Much for Dry Eye?

The amount of time we use our devices also plays a critical role in the likelihood of dry eye symptoms, and several studies have attempted to quantify the number of hours that might be considered “excessive.” This research has shown that people who are exposed to their screens for more than 5-8+ per day had increasingly negative outcomes, such as a higher prevalence of diagnosed dry eye disease and more severe symptoms.^5-6

In addition, the type and number of total dry eye-related symptoms were heavily influenced by increasing amounts of screen time, particularly for younger adults. More hours of exposure led to more headaches, eye redness and rubbing, and patients generally cited more symptoms overall with an average of nearly three.⁷ The significant rise in digital device usage during the COVID-19 pandemic seems to have worsened eye health for many people as well.

The raw number of hours on your screen does not tell the whole story though. The specific purpose or activity can impact the eye complications that result. For example, just two hours of so-called “high intensity” smartphone usage (e.g. continuous reading) was enough to substantially increase the severity of dry eye symptoms, among other signs.⁸ Furthermore, there may be a cumulative effect as well. Constant screen time over the course of 8-12+ years seems to be more harmful when compared with those who have been working on digital screens for four years or fewer.⁶

As if that were not enough, when you use your device screens also matters. In particular, screen time right before bed can hasten the onset of dry and irritated eyes.⁹ This is consistent with other research that suggests that blue light exposure (especially before bedtime) can negatively harm our brains and affect our circadian rhythm—thus resulting in neurological symptoms, disrupted sleep, and reduced productivity. To help with this, you can try orange-tinted sleep glasses that block 100% of blue light while you use your devices at night.

Why and How Does Screen Time Lead to Dry Eye?

There are a variety of possible reasons why our screens can leave our eyes in so much pain and discomfort. As we mentioned previously, the blue light emitted from our computers and smartphones can trigger the symptoms we experience.

For individuals with light sensitivity or a related condition, specific wavelengths of blue light (near 480nm) can bring about the irritation and dryness in their eyes—especially given the connections between light-sensitive disorders like migraine and dry eye disease. They also have a lower tolerance for bright light, which can negatively activate parts of their brain as well as force their eyes to strain while using a device. Certain blue light can also lead to ocular damage even for healthy eyes.

Another big reason why the eyes can experience discomfort due to screen use stems from the rate of blinking. Studies have shown that people simply blink less often while using their screens, particularly during tasks that require greater concentration, which affects tear production. Perhaps even more impactful is the rate of “incomplete” blinking, where the upper eyelid does not fully cover the eye, thus preventing proper moisture from circulating around the eye.¹

Other environmental factors can factor into the equation too. Improper viewing distance, lack of ambient lighting, and poor air quality are just some of the complicating elements that might affect our eyes while viewing a screen.

How Can You Prevent and Relieve Screen-Related Dry Eye?

Several strategies can help people prevent the onset of dry eyes or at least lower the risk that they will develop. These include:

We hope these tips allow you to use your devices with less pain!

More Reading: The Impact of Screens and Digital Devices

Computer Screens: The Effect on Headaches, Migraines and Concussions

Here's Why Smartphones Can Hurt Our Eyes and Cause Headaches

Screen Time after a Concussion: Should You Limit Use of Electronics?

References:

¹Sheppard AL, Wolffsohn JS. Digital eye strain: prevalence, measurement and amelioration. BMJ Open Ophthalmol. 2018;3(1):e000146. Published 2018 Apr 16. doi:10.1136/bmjophth-2018-000146

²Hikichi T, Yoshida A, Fukui Y, et al. Prevalence of dry eye in Japanese eye centers. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 1995;233(9):555-558. doi:10.1007/BF00404705

³Ismail OM, Poole ZB, Bierly SL, et al. Association Between Dry Eye Disease and Migraine Headaches in a Large Population-Based Study. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2019;137(5):532-536. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2019.0170

⁴Lee CJ, Felix ER, Levitt RC, et al. Traumatic brain injury, dry eye and comorbid pain diagnoses in US veterans. Br J Ophthalmol. 2018;102(5):667-673. doi:10.1136/bjophthalmol-2017-310509

⁵Mehra D, Galor A. Digital Screen Use and Dry Eye: A Review. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila). 2020;9(6):491-497. doi:10.1097/APO.0000000000000328

⁶Al-Mohtaseb Z, Schachter S, Shen Lee B, Garlich J, Trattler W. The Relationship Between Dry Eye Disease and Digital Screen Use. Clin Ophthalmol. 2021;15:3811-3820. Published 2021 Sep 10. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S321591

⁷Wu SZ, Chong JK, Tracer N, Wu M, Raju L. Prevalence of dry eye symptoms and relationship to screen time in a New York City pediatric population. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 2020;61:340. Accessed May 6, 2022. https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2766486

⁸Wang C, Yuan K, Mou Y, Wu Y. High-Intensity Use of Smartphone Can Significantly Increase the Diagnostic Rate and Severity of Dry Eye. Huang J, ed. Front Med. Published online April 26, 2022. Accessed May 6, 2022. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2022.829271/full

⁹Mineshita Y, Kim HK, Chijiki H, et al. Screen time duration and timing: effects on obesity, physical activity, dry eyes, and learning ability in elementary school children. BMC Public Health. 2021;21(1):422. Published 2021 Feb 28. doi:10.1186/s12889-021-10484-7

¹⁰Kaido M, Toda I, Oobayashi T, Kawashima M, Katada Y, Tsubota K. Reducing Short-Wavelength Blue Light in Dry Eye Patients with Unstable Tear Film Improves Performance on Tests of Visual Acuity. PLoS One. 2016;11(4):e0152936. Published 2016 Apr 5. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0152936

Last updated 13th Mar 2024

For many, light sensitivity and photophobia does not just occur as an isolated symptom. It has been connected with other physical and sensory disturbances, such as dizziness, anxiety, and noise sensitivity (also known as phonophobia), among others. While you might not immediately associate them with one another, nausea can also co-occur with sensitivity to light. We explore how often it happens and the impact it can have on patients.

Causes of Light Sensitivity with Nausea

Many people who experience photophobia and nausea together have been diagnosed with an underlying condition that causes their symptoms. In particular, there are several notable disorders that can lead to the onset of these two issues simultaneously.

Migraine is often characterized by sensory disturbances to light, touch, sound and smell. Regardless of the specific migraine diagnosis, those who had nausea were more likely to also be sensitive to light.¹ In fact, many clinical studies list photophobia and nausea as two of the three most bothersome symptoms. Researchers have further suggested that the specific sensory activation that leads to migraine-related nausea also creates a greater likelihood of photophobia.² In addition, the intensity of head pain during an attack has been linked to both greater nausea and light sensitivity symptoms.³

Certain migraine types can make it more plausible that gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms will appear along with light sensitivity. Abdominal migraine typically impacts children, who develop symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting as well as sensory complaints such as photophobia during the attack phase. Another migraine type, vestibular migraine, is uniquely characterized by vertigo and dizziness; these issues accompany the “usual” migrainous symptoms like light and sound sensitivity and headache. In fact, nausea (80%) and photophobia (55%) were two of the top three symptoms of vestibular migraine.⁴ These problems often overlap during attacks and can appear at any stage of the migraine too.

Migraine is not the only condition that can result in light sensitivity with nausea. Cyclic vomiting syndrome similarly affects younger children and can make patients sensitive to light. One smaller study noted that approximately 17% with cyclic vomiting syndrome had this sensory sensitivity with their GI symptoms.⁵ Photosensitive epilepsy, in which seizures (and other symptoms) are triggered by flashing lights and other visual phenomenon, often feature migraine-like headaches and related sensitivities. Even people with cluster headache can experience these symptoms at staggering rates—perhaps as much as 75% for photophobia and 43% for nausea. In particular, women with cluster headache seem to have more nausea and vomiting with their cluster bouts, although light sensitivity likely affects men and women equally.⁶

These two symptoms are also hallmark effects of traumatic brain injury and concussion, especially with the impact that these injuries have on the vestibular system. Not only can they appear immediately after the TBI, but they can persist for weeks or months in some patients, including those with post-concussion syndrome. Experts have even identified post-traumatic migraine as a common headache type following a brain injury, which is explicitly characterized by head pain, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity and/or nausea. These complications can lead to longer recovery times, more total symptoms, and worsening outcomes for patients.^7-8

Manage Light Sensitivity with Confidence

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If the primary condition is gastrointestinal in nature, you can also experience these two symptoms. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been linked to dry eye disease, which is one of the leading causes of light sensitivity, and it has been further connected to greater photophobia if you have both IBS and migraine.^9,10 Functional gastrointestinal disorders are the result of gut-brain problems, and they too can leave afflicted persons with recurring nausea and a higher risk of photophobia.

Finally, COVID-19 infection and/or Long COVID have become emerging causes of persistent headaches with co-occurring nausea and sensitivity to light. Over 40% of people with COVID-19 caused headaches have reported each of these physiological complaints, and some had their symptoms last 30-60 days, if not longer.¹¹

Even with all of these disorders, this list is not inclusive of everything. It is highly likely that several other conditions can result in the onset of these symptoms too.

Triggers of Light Sensitivity and Nausea

While photophobia and nausea are symptoms that people experience, light exposure can trigger both of them as well. The brightness levels, specific wavelengths of blue light, and the invisible pulsing in certain sources all contribute to the onset of these problems—particularly for migraine, other headache disorders and TBI. This is why fluorescent and LED lights, computer and smartphone screens, and sunlight consistently make the list of top triggers for light-sensitive persons. Even for healthy individuals, short-wavelength blue light led to motion sickness and more severe nausea, especially with repeated exposure.¹²

Nausea-related factors can also act as a trigger for both symptoms. For example, osmophobia, or sensitivity to smell, is associated with migraine and has the capability to instigate an attack that features nausea and other GI symptoms along with light sensitivity. Abnormal taste sensitivities can also affect individuals with migraine; as you might imagine, one unpleasant or unexpected flavor can be enough to bring on an attack.

Of course, there are a variety of triggers (beyond light and smell/taste) that can initiate symptoms of the conditions we have discussed. Any exposure to them can activate the brain and body in ways that turn into light-sensitive episodes with feelings of nausea.

Impact of Co-Occurring Photophobia with Nausea

As you might imagine, light sensitivity and nausea are debilitating on their own. Light sensitivity can feel painful and disorienting while also making us more anxious and fearful to be around potential light triggers. Nausea can turn our insides into a roller coaster and often exists with other symptoms like vomiting, constipation, and/or stomach pain. So when you put them together, it can significantly compound the problem.

We also have seen that the burden of these two symptoms together makes patients worse off. Specifically, people who were diagnosed with migraine AND had symptoms of light, sound and smell sensitivity had worsening headache-related disability.¹³ This can lead to negative effects throughout one’s life, from professional outcomes to personal relationships. Anxiety and emotional or cognitive issues can complicate matters and hasten the development of photophobia and nausea.¹⁴

How to Alleviate Light Sensitivity and Nausea

Given the heavy burden of multiple sensory and physical symptoms, addressing photophobia and nausea becomes a critical step in the journey. Even if relief can be found for only one of them, it can make a significant difference in quality of life.

We always recommend consulting with your doctor and/or specialist to determine the most appropriate course of action for all of your symptoms. There are a variety of therapies for improving nausea symptoms, whether they are general remedies or designed for specific causes like migraine.

There are several options for relieving sensitivity to light too. For example, you can make adjustments in the lighting of your home and/or work environment, enact behavioral changes such as regular eye breaks from triggering sources, and wear tinted eyewear designed for light sensitivity.

TheraSpecs, in particular, features a variety of glasses that filter the most problematic blue wavelengths to which light-sensitive individuals are hyperreactive; this includes FL-Pro and FL-Blend for indoor use and FL-Sun if you want a polarized option for outdoors. In a comparison with other tinted glasses, TheraSpecs wearers were 3X more likely to report improved light sensitivity management. Here is what a few of them had to say about their experience:

As always, you should also take the medications for your condition as prescribed to help reduce the collection of symptoms that come along with it. General strategies for trigger management are also effective in reducing the load on your brain and body while also potentially preventing light sensitivity and nausea.

More Reading: Light Sensitivity + Other Symptoms

Photophobia and Phonophobia: Are Light and Sound Sensitivity Linked?

Does Light Make You Tired? Fatigue and Light Sensitivity

Can Light Sensitivity Lead to Blurry Vision?

Light Sensitivity and Dizziness

References:

¹Min YW, Lee JH, Min B-H, et al. Clinical predictors for migraine in patients presenting with nausea and/or vomiting. Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility. 2013;19(4):516-520. doi:10.5056/jnm.2013.19.4.516.

²Drummond PD. Motion sickness and migraine: optokinetic stimulation increases scalp tenderness, pain sensitivity in the fingers and photophobia. Cephalalgia. 2002;22(2):117-124. doi:10.1046/j.1468-2982.2002.00332.x

³Kelman L, Tanis D. The relationship between migraine pain and other associated symptoms. Cephalalgia. 2006;26(5):548-553. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2982.2006.01075.x

⁴Teggi R, Colombo B, Albera R, et al. Clinical features of headache in patients with diagnosis of definite vestibular migraine: The VM-phenotypes projects. Frontiers in Neurology. 2018;9. doi:10.3389/fneur.2018.00395.

⁵Ertekin V, Selimoğlu MA, Altnkaynak S. Prevalence of cyclic vomiting syndrome in a sample of Turkish school children in an urban area. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2006;40(10):896-898. doi:10.1097/01.mcg.0000212627.83746.0b

⁶Rozen TD, Niknam RM, Shechter AL, et al. Cluster headache in women: clinical characteristics and comparison with cluster headache in men. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 2001;70:613-617.

⁷Womble MN, McAllister-Deitrick J, Marchetti GF, et al. Risk Factors for Vestibular and Oculomotor Outcomes After Sport-Related Concussion. Clin J Sport Med. 2021;31(4):e193-e199. doi:10.1097/JSM.0000000000000761

⁸Kontos AP, Reches A, Elbin RJ, et al. Preliminary evidence of reduced brain network activation in patients with post-traumatic migraine following concussion. Brain Imaging Behav. 2016;10(2):594-603. doi:10.1007/s11682-015-9412-6

⁹Asproudis I, Tsoumani AT, Katsanos KH, et al. Irritable bowel syndrome might be associated with dry eye disease. Ann Gastroenterol. 2016;29(4):487-491. doi:10.20524/aog.2016.0064

¹⁰Uluduz D, Cakmak S, et al. A Link between Migraine, Tension Type Headache and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Clinical and Genetic Indicators (P4.120). Neurology. 2016;86(16 Suppl):P4.120. doi:10.1212/WNL.86.16_supplement.P4.120.

¹¹Sampaio Rocha-Filho PA, Albuquerque PM, Carvalho LC, Dandara Pereira Gama M, Magalhães JE. Headache, anosmia, ageusia and other neurological symptoms in COVID-19: A cross-sectional study. The Journal of Headache and Pain. 2022;23(1). doi:10.1186/s10194-021-01367-8.

¹²Kim K, Hirayama K, Yoshida K, et al. Effect of exposure to short-wavelength light on susceptibility to motion sickness. Neuroreport. 2017;28(10):584-589. doi:10.1097/WNR.0000000000000802

¹³Suzuki K, Suzuki S, Shiina T, et al. Investigating the relationships between the burden of multiple sensory hypersensitivity symptoms and headache-related disability in patents with Migraine. The Journal of Headache and Pain. 2021;22(1). doi:10.1186/s10194-021-01294-8.

¹⁴Iverson GL, Greenberg J, Cook NE. Anxiety Is Associated With Diverse Physical and Cognitive Symptoms in Youth Presenting to a Multidisciplinary Concussion Clinic. Front Neurol. 2022;12:811462. Published 2022 Feb 7. doi:10.3389/fneur.2021.811462

Greg Bullock is a director at TheraSpecs and a leading author on light sensitivity. His insights have been featured by government agencies, advocacy groups, and other prominent media outlets.

Last updated 3rd Nov 2025

Our nation’s servicemen and women are an incredible source of inspiration for all of us here at TheraSpecs. The words "courage" and "sacrifice" come into sharp focus when we hear their stories, especially as they describe the dangers of combat and the health struggles that follow them home from the battlefield. So it is always special to help those in our military with light sensitivity better manage and relieve their symptoms.

Danny wrote to us recently to share how TheraSpecs have improved his life. He has served in the military for 25 years within the special operations community and has been deployed numerous times to the Middle East in support of the Global War on Terrorism. As an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician, Danny has been confronted with the perils of war on a regular basis.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) have been shown to affect military service members at greater rates. In fact, 450,000 service members have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury since 2000, according to the Department of Defense. Follow-on complications, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), post-TBI headaches and migraines, and other issues, often present as well.

Light sensitivity has been connected to all of these conditions, making it a prominent health concern that results from their service. This hypersensitivity to light (also called photophobia) is the most common visual symptom in blast-induced TBI, affecting 60-75% of those with these types of traumas.^1,2 Light sensitivity is not just a symptom, but exposure to light—including specific wavelengths in the blue spectrum—can initiate the onset of complications too. Fluorescent lighting, LEDs, computer screens, and bright sunlight all pose a risk. Suffice it to say, light sensitivity after TBI is a big problem for many in our military.

Thankfully, Danny was able to get some insight into his symptoms when he visited a TBI clinic. This is where he learned about TheraSpecs glasses as a key tool for photophobia relief. TheraSpecs has several lens options for brain injury survivors that work by blocking the most harmful wavelengths of light that can trigger symptoms of TBI and other light-sensitive conditions.

Even better, he was able to get them purchased with the help of the Semper Fi Fund, which supports injured service members and veterans as they transition back to the community.

Like so many others who wear TheraSpecs, Danny felt the IMMEDIATE impact of his new glasses and could not believe he had gone so long without them. TheraSpecs allow him to live his life without the stress of being in areas with bright lights that would otherwise affect his vision and headache issues.

We love to see Danny smiling with his Winslow-style TheraSpecs, and we’re proud to support him and all other members of the military!

P.S. In addition to the Semper Fi Fund, TheraSpecs can be ordered through the VA for eligible veterans. Learn more about how you can get TheraSpecs through the VA.

References:

¹Magone MT, Kwon E, Shin SY. Chronic visual dysfunction after blast-induced mild traumatic brain injury. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2014;51(1):71-80. doi:10.1682/JRRD.2013.01.0008

²​​Abusamak M, Alrawashdeh HM. Post-concussion syndrome light sensitivity: A case report and review of the literature. Neuro-Ophthalmology. 2021;46(2):85-90. doi:10.1080/01658107.2021.1983612.

Last updated 13th Mar 2024

Does looking at a smartphone screen or walking outside on a bright day initiate headache pain? Or have you been diagnosed with a type of migraine and find that light is bothersome? If so, then it may be the exposure to wavelengths of blue light that are the source of your symptoms, either directly or indirectly. Let’s take a closer look at the phenomenon of blue light-induced headaches and migraine attacks.

How Blue Light Causes Headaches and Migraine Attacks

There are several possible explanations for the impact of blue light on our eyes and brain. For a person with healthy eyes, blue light exposure from a variety of sources such as screens and sunlight can lead to eye strain, which often results in a constellation of symptoms like headaches. Longer duration of exposure and the brightness of the light source also play a role in the onset of headache symptoms.

Those who have migraine, or another primary light-sensitive headache disorder, have an entirely different confrontation with blue light. They tend to be hypersensitive to certain wavelengths of blue light near 480nm, which is further activated by neurological deficits in key pathways between the eye and brain. Thus, exposure to these wavelengths can trigger migraine attacks—which can include head pain and other symptoms of their condition.

Fluorescent lighting and some LEDs also uniquely affect people, with or without a prior headache or migraine disorder. Many of these sources emit an invisible pulsing that is processed in the brain, and this pulsing is most intense in the blue spectrum of light. This is why so many people can feel uneasy, in addition to having headaches and migraine attacks, when exposed to fluorescents.

What Blue Light-Induced Headaches and Migraines Feel Like

The physiological experiences associated with blue light headaches are primarily dictated by whether a person already has a condition that causes headaches, migraine attacks and/or light sensitivity.

For somebody without one of these disorders, they typically manifest as tension-type headaches—which feel like an achy pain that is located around the entire head. They are often the result of tightening of the muscles in the neck and face, which explains why eye strain (a common side effect of blue light exposure) can be a triggering factor for headaches. These headaches tend to be short in duration and resolve themselves within a few hours at most with proper care and rest. A person may have mild sensitivity to light and ocular symptoms (blurry vision, eye redness and pain, for example), but they are unlikely to persist for long periods of time.

For people with an established primary or secondary headache disorder, their symptoms more likely will reflect the characteristics of their condition. Headache pain associated with migraine without aura, for example, is often localized to one side; cluster headaches, on the other hand, typically affect one eye, either around or behind it.

There are also conditions that are not primary headache disorders, but that feature light-triggered head pain as a core symptom; COVID-19 and post-concussion syndrome are just two examples. And all of these conditions also feature a whole host of other physical complaints that can be brought on by blue light. This can include, but is not limited to: dizziness, vertigo, nausea, blurry vision, visual and nonvisual aura, muscle pain, facial and/or ocular pain, and more.

Unfortunately, a person with this ongoing hypersensitivity to blue light can endure symptomatic attacks for several hours or days. It is important to note, however, that headaches can present differently from attack to attack, so they may develop with differing levels of intensity, location, duration, additional symptoms, and other characteristics.

Relief for Blue Light Headaches

The strategies for relieving headaches and migraine attacks caused by blue light will also vary based on the presence of a preexisting light-sensitive disorder. If you do not any history of headache or photophobia, then you can:

• Take an extended break from the triggering light source
• Use over-the-counter pain and headache relief medications
• Try screen-related accessibility features, such as dark mode or color shift
• Take regular breaks to rest your eyes and brain while on your screen or exposed to other sources of blue light
• Get proper rest and hydration
• Wear your corrective lenses and/or blue-light filtering eyewear; TheraSpecs offers several lens tints that block different parts of the blue spectrum depending on the issue (e.g. for better sleep or to help improve visual sharpness)
• Wear sunglasses for blue light exposure when outdoors

If you have been diagnosed with a headache or migraine disorder, then you may want to take a more customized approach to your attacks initiated by blue light. In addition to the above recommendations, you also can:

• Use preventive meds as needed/prescribed and take acute medications at the onset of symptoms
• Wear therapeutic glasses from TheraSpecs that feature max filtering near 480nm and which also can help reduce the effects of fluorescent pulsing
• Choose therapeutic eyewear that offers additional protective features, such as wraparound frames and large direct coverage
• Limit aggravating headache and migraine factors, including other triggers and environmental stressors

Blue Light Blocking Glasses that Reduce Headaches and Migraines

You may have heard of so-called blue light glasses as an option to cut down on your exposure to the wavelengths that are causing your symptoms, but how effective are they? And are they all the same? The answer depends largely on the specific brand and their filtering capabilities.

It may be surprising to learn that most clear or nearly-clear glasses don’t actually block much blue light, despite their popularity. They primarily target blue wavelengths near UV light (400-420nm) and have an aesthetic appeal due to the lack of a noticeable tint, but they are unlikely to provide much benefit for people who have recurring and/or severe headaches and migraine attacks. Yellow-tinted computer or gaming-style glasses offer a little more protection throughout the blue spectrum of light, but they are most beneficial for helping with general vision and eye health—not for blocking the most harmful wavelengths that trigger migraines, photophobia, and/or headaches.

TheraSpecs are a unique brand of therapeutic glasses because they have several lens options that filter more across a wide range of harmful blue light, and that specifically maximize the amount of filtering near 480nm, unlike other products. As we mentioned, these are the wavelengths that lead to the most pain and other symptoms for people with photophobia. This makes TheraSpecs the best option for reducing headaches, migraine attacks, and light sensitivity associated with blue light exposure.

In a survey of light-sensitive persons, more than 70% of TheraSpecs users felt moderate, significant or total relief for their headaches and/or migraine attacks; only ~33% of these same individuals felt similar relief while using another brand(s) of blue light filtering glasses.

Even if you don’t have a light-sensitive condition, you can use TheraSpecs for those times where you need more sustained protection from your screen and/or fluorescents or LEDs. You can also explore their other lenses, many of which target blue light for a variety of needs.

More Reading: Light Sensitivity and Sources of Blue Light

Fluorescent Light Sensitivity: Causes, Symptoms and Solutions

Computer Screens: The Effect on Headaches, Migraines and Concussions

Why Does the Sun Give Me A Headache?

Related Reading: Blue Light Glasses

The BEST Blue Light Blocking Glasses for Migraine, Concussion and Light Sensitivity

Do Blue Light Glasses Help with Headaches, Migraines and Other Symptoms?

Do Blue Light Glasses Help with Fluorescent Lights?

Last updated 13th Mar 2024