TheraSpecs sunglasses provide the ultimate protection for anyone who finds sunlight disruptive. They feature a specialty tint with advanced light filtering, polarization to reduce glare, and 100% UVA/UVB blocking.
By targeting the wavelengths of light that we perceive as brightest, TheraSpecs® FL-Sun® sunglasses provide a superior lens for anyone who wants anyone who feels extra sensitive to sunlight. We recommend FL-Sun, our FL-41 sunglasses, for people who experience light sensitivity when outside, people who want to stay active outdoors, and/or people who want a pair of their favorite everyday sunnies! Their dark, polarized lenses reduce glare and they block 100% of UVA and UVB light.
Our customers rave about TheraSpecs sunglasses for the protection they experience on sunny days and for the newfound ability to enjoy their favorite outdoor activities! These are some of our favorite reviews:
What customers are saying
★★★★★
SAVED MY LIFE
"Your glasses saved my life. I suffer from [light sensitivity issues] and without your glasses my life would be miserable. Thank you for your hard work!"
-Linda, New Zealand, wearing FL-Sun lenses
★★★★★
CHANGING MY LIFE
"Imagine being able to be back out in the sun without being worried about the light-sensitive episode that is going to come and the vision that will blur...because of TheraSpecs, I don’t worry about that anymore!! Thank you to TheraSpecs for changing my LIFE!!"
-Danny, Virginia, wearing FL-Sun lenses
★★★★★
WITHOUT FEAR
"[My light sensitivity] was so bad that I couldn’t be outside if the sun was out no matter how dark my glasses were. Fast forward to 5 years later and you won’t catch me without my TheraSpecs on! I can go outside now without fear..."
-Tori, Texas, wearing FL-Sun lenses
How do precision-tinted sunglasses help with sunlight sensitivity, and how are they different from regular sunglasses?
Regular sunglasses manage bright light by darkening everything across the board. Although it helps some, it does not target the specific wavelengths that make sunlight hardest on light-sensitive eyes, and some brands may not even be polarized or fully UV-blocking.
TheraSpecs offers a precision-tinted, polarized sunglasses lens (FL-Sun), which uses the FL-41 tint to filter most strongly between 480-520nm, the blue-green range that sunlight emits in especially high amounts. The polarization cuts reflected glare off surfaces like water, snow, and pavement, and every pair blocks 100% of UVA and UVB light and adds an anti-glare coating. TheraSpecs also offers frame styles that block light from above and the sides, so coverage comes from more than one direction.
FL-Sun also comes in two strengths.
Do the lenses need to be polarized if you have light sensitivity, and what does polarization actually do?
Yes, polarization is important if you are light sensitive because of outdoor glare. Polarization filters out the horizontally reflected light that bounces off flat surfaces like water, snow, roads, and car hoods. Cutting that helps reduced glare, sharpen contrast, and make bright settings easier on the eyes. It also deepens how dark a lens is without adding tint.
This is why FL-Sun is the polarized lens in the TheraSpecs catalog.
Indoors, polarization isn't necessary because there's no direct sunlight reflecting off surfaces to create glare. TheraSpecs options like FL-Pro and FL-Blend feature a precision tint that protects from artificial light without the interference of a polarized lens.
How dark should my sunglasses for light sensitivity be?
It depends on the level of sensitivity and where the glasses will be worn most. That's why TheraSpecs FL-Sun lenses come in two strengths, which makes it easy to match the darkness to the situation:
Dark+: the standard strength, filtering about 90% of visible light. This is darker than most standard sunglasses and works well for most people for everyday outdoor use, including driving.
UltraDark+: filters about 96% of all light, for the brightest conditions or anyone who wants maximum filtering. UltraDark+ is too dark for driving any time of day.
Not sure which is the right fit? The lens assistant can help narrow it down with a few quick questions.
Can I drive while wearing specialty-tinted sunglasses for sunlight sensitivity?
Yes, TheraSpecs FL-Sun Dark+ strength glasses are suitable for daytime driving, and its polarization actually helps by cutting glare off the road and other cars. FL-Sun UltraDark+ strength glasses are too dark for driving and are meant for other outdoor activities.
Like any dark sunglasses, neither FL-Sun lens is suited for driving at night. For low-light or nighttime driving, try Flex or Contrast HEV lenses, much lighter tints made for those situations.
How important is it to block UV and outdoor blue light?
It's very important, which is why every pair of TheraSpecs blocks 100% of UVA and UVB rays. UVA and UVB are invisible ultraviolet rays, and long-term sun exposure to them can be a risk factor for lasting eye damage. That's why eye doctors recommend that everyone, including kids, wear UV-blocking eyewear any time they're outside in daylight, not just on bright days.
Outdoor blue light is a separate issue, especially the range between 480-520nm, which is a major driver of visual discomfort for light-sensitive eyes. Most sunglasses filter some of this range simply as a byproduct of overall darkness, but they aren't built to target it specifically. Enhanced, targeted filtering of that harmful range is exactly what FL-Sun is designed to do.
Can I wear dark sunglasses indoors for my light sensitivity?
Wearing sunglasses constantly, especially indoors, can cause the eyes to dark-adapt. They adjust to the lower light level so that ordinary lighting then feels more intense by comparison.
The takeaway is not to avoid sunglasses, but to wear them where they belong. FL-Sun is made for bright outdoor light. For indoor spaces with fluorescents, LEDs, or screens, a lighter precision-tinted lens like FL-Pro or FL-Blend filters the problematic wavelengths without the darkness that leads to dark adaptation.
Can light sensitivity sunglasses help no matter what's causing my discomfort, like migraine, sunlight sensitivity, fluorescents, or something else?
Yes. Whatever the underlying reason for the sensitivity, the challenge outdoors is usually the same: the sheer brightness of sunlight, its high concentration of blue-green wavelengths, and the glare that reflects off surfaces. Sensitive eyes react to those physical properties of the light itself, whether the sensitivity traces back to migraine, autism, a concussion, or no known cause at all.
FL-Sun manages that exposure regardless of the cause. Because light sensitivity can vary, its two strengths also provide protection that matches your needs.
Is there research behind precision-tinted sunglasses for sunlight sensitivity?
Yes. There is a well-established body of research on how bright light and specific wavelengths affect people who are sensitive to light, and much of it points to the range around 480 to 520nm as especially problematic. Researchers have also documented the role of glare and ultraviolet exposure in outdoor visual discomfort.
TheraSpecs have long been recommended by neurologists and light sensitivity specialists for managing light exposure. FL-Sun combines FL-41, our core tint, with full UV protection and glare-reducing polarization in one outdoor lens.
Can I get TheraSpecs in my prescription, or wear them over my current glasses?
Yes, both. FL-Sun lenses can be made with a prescription, either in a TheraSpecs frame or in a pair sent in through the Send in Your Own Frame option. They can also be made as readers if you just need magnification.
TheraSpecs also offers WearOver styles that sit comfortably over your existing frames, giving the same FL-Sun filtering, polarization, and UV protection without changing an everyday pair.
Why Is Sunlight A Concern for Many People?
Research has shown that specific wavelengths of light between 480-520nm cause the most problems for people who are sensitive to light, especially those with sunlight sensitivity. That is because sunlight is exceptionally high in these wavelengths—it can emit 250 times of these wavelengths as artificial light—which can make it too bright even for the average person.1
It is no surprise then that those who are generally sensitive to light report that exposure to the sun can lead to a variety of negative outcomes.2-4 Even people without light sensitivity may find they need more protection outdoors than standard sunglasses can provide.
For many, light management has become a leading strategy in their overall wellness and protection plan.
TheraSpecs for Sunlight Management
The best sunglasses are more than just dark lenses. By adding FL-41 to a dark lens, TheraSpecs FL-Sun® target light at specific wavelengths between 480-520nm.
TheraSpecs FL-Sun lenses perform better than prominent eyewear brands at the most critical wavelengths (including protection from outdoor blue light).5 Even other FL-41 products do not match the properties of TheraSpecs sunglasses, making TheraSpecs the best sunglasses for outdoor lighting. That extra protection can make all the difference for you and your needs.
TheraSpecs sunglasses also feature polarized lenses, anti-glare coating, and 100% UVA/UVB blocking. Polarization helps eliminate reflective glare and increases the darkness of the lenses, while maximum UVA/UVB protection cuts down on non-visible ultraviolet light that can be disruptive.
Lastly, we offer frame styles to block light from above and the sides to reduce sun exposure, and all TheraSpecs are as lightweight as possible and add flexibility to minimize pressure on already-sensitive heads.
All these factors combine to bring you protection when you’re outdoors, especially if you are light sensitive. Also, by reducing your exposure to harsh sunlight, TheraSpecs may help people to live well with migraine, as part of a light management strategy.
TheraSpecs FL-Sun comes standard with Dark+ strength. And if those aren’t dark enough, we also make TheraSpecs FL-Sun UltraDark+ for advanced protection. They are so dark that they are not suitable for driving, but are excellent for other outdoor activities.
TheraSpecs Sunglasses:
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Protect against harsh sunlight
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Filter more problematic wavelengths than typical sunglasses
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Minimize glare with polarized lenses and anti-glare coating
Shipped Worldwide, Including the US, UK and Canada
TheraSpecs can be purchased quickly, easily, and securely through our online store. Whether you live in the US, UK, Australia, Canada or just about anywhere else in the world, we are able to get our glasses right to your door. We even have a free shipping option for all US orders. In-stock pairs ship the same or next business day; custom orders take approximately three weeks.
Custom Frames and Prescription Glasses
For customers with existing prescription eyewear, we have fitover styles like Original WearOver and Tatum WearOver. TheraSpecs lenses can be made with your prescription too—either in a standard frame or one you already own. Readers, clip-ons, and other custom frames can also be made with TheraSpecs lenses.
60-Day Money-Back Guarantee
We're excited for you to try TheraSpecs as a tool to help you get back to the important activities and people in your life! If you don't absolutely love your TheraSpecs, we want you to know that we're here to help. You can reach out to us at any time with questions or if you need additional support in order to get the most out of your experience with our glasses.
We also encourage you to take full advantage of our return and exchange policy. If you want to try another frame or a different lens option or make a return on a non-custom item, just reach out to our team within 60 days.
References:
1Bretschneider E. A Reality Check on Blue Light Exposure. Illuminating Engineering Society. https://www.ies.org/fires/a-reality-check-on-blue-light-exposure/. Published December 4, 2019. Accessed April 11, 2021.
2Vijayan N, Gould S, Watson C. Exposure to sun and precipitation of migraine. Headache. 1980 Jan;20(1):42-3.
3Gonzalez L, Jones LE, Fakeh M, Shah N, Panchella JA, Shendell DG. Incidence reporting via online high school concussion surveillance by certified athletic trainers and school nurses, 2015-2018. Inj Epidemiol. 2020;7(1):1. Published 2020 Jan 13. doi:10.1186/s40621-019-0228-5
5Visible light transmission by wavelength measured by TheraSpecs Company of various sunglasses brands, including Maui Jim®, Oakley®, and Ray-Ban® using f.luxometer software (https://fluxometer.com/page/measure/)
