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Light sensitivity

Posted , 11 users are following.

toni62403
toni62403

Hi all,

I was diagnosed with CFS Sept 2015 after experiencing symptoms since Sept 2014. I am looking for some advice. I have real trouble looking screens, it makes me feel almost dizzy and I wouldn't call it pain but it I find it uncomfortable in my eyes.I have had a thorough eye test so I know there's nothing wrong there.  I was just wondering how many of you experience this kind of sensation and how  you deal with it. I am struggling to continue with my PhD studies as a result of my CFS and I find my difficulties with screens means that on good days when I try to work my difficulties with screens makes it even more challenging.

I have tried to turn my brightness down but it hasn't had much of an impact. 

Does anyone experience this/ have any suggestions?

Thanks! :-)

1 like, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • andrew22534
    andrew22534 toni62403

    Posted

    Check the screen refresh rate, and wherever possible have it above 60hz i always found 75 to be a good setting. check with red green balance i found that helped... use a baseball cap to cut out ambient lights (also good with migraines) oddly i never found sunglasses or polaroids to help much but try it it may help you. Be careful driving dawn and dusk that twilight may not be so good for you to see in oddly dark or daylight are ok but the inbetween bit i often find "scary"  
    • toni62403
      toni62403 andrew22534

      Posted

      Thanks for the suggestions! Apparently 60hz is the max for my laptop so I'm going to borrow my boyfriend's and see I manage better on his. Yeah, I have stopped driving completely since becoming unwell - I just don't feel I'd be safe on the road at all and I ride a motorbike so I'm not willing to risk it. Thanks again for your suggestions, much appreciated!
  • sueliz57
    sueliz57 toni62403

    Posted

    Have you tried altering the background colour? I know that can help some people with dyslexia, it may be worth a try.
  • Beverley_01
    Beverley_01 toni62403

    Posted

    Hi Toni,

    Yes I'm sensitive to light also and limit my screen time. There used to be a fantastic device that reduced glare. It was a screen you put in front of the computer screen- Maybe they still make them? Also, if you wear glasses, you can get an anti reflective coating that could help you. I also use my phone on minimal light to do alot of my work.

    Hope that helps

    Beverley

  • boni333
    boni333 toni62403

    Posted

    I am sensitive to light. It's a symptom of the illness. I also have pain and dryness in my eyes when I'm tired. It gets worse if I don't do anything to relieve it. Laying down and taking a nap helps most of the time.

    When I look at a computer screen and it hurts my eyes or everything is blurry it's my clue to go lay down or sleep. When I overdue or push myself is when this happens and it tells me to stop what I'm doing, rest, sleep and go back to it when feeling better.

    Unfortunately with this illness I have to let my body tell me how my day will go. I can't listen to my mind cause my mind wants to be health. This is one of the reasons I can't work or do normal things.

    Bonnie

    • toni62403
      toni62403 boni333

      Posted

      Hi Bonnie,

      Yah I also find that I have to take regular rest breaks and usually find my body does a good job of letting me know when. 

  • onebratt08
    onebratt08 toni62403

    Posted

    Get the orange tinted glasses. They block the blue light from electronic screens. Also, you might look into installing F.Lux on your computer. It adjusts the screen to the more tolerable orange hue in the nighttime hours.
    • onebratt08
      onebratt08

      Posted

      By the way, I struggle with this badly, so I know a number of the tricks.
    • toni62403
      toni62403 onebratt08

      Posted

      Wow, that f.lux is great! Thanks so much for the suggestion, if you have any other tips I'd love to hear them! 
  • alison44235
    alison44235 toni62403

    Posted

    I am light sensitive, but when I was first diagnosed 10 years into the illness I did not use a computer. It is a big problem light sensitivityIt makes me feel more tired when I am in a situation with light shining in my eyes. It does  make me feel a bit dizzy.
  • GeorgiaS
    GeorgiaS toni62403

    Posted

    I got some amber tinted glasses, which help my eyes when looking at the screen. They're large enough to fit over my regular glasses. A pair might help you. I got mine from the RNIB but they don't appear to have them now but you might find some.

    Eyebright herb and Witch Hazel water are good for the eyes.

    I'm studying for a degree and with all the reading etc I really have to take care of my eyes.

    • toni62403
      toni62403 GeorgiaS

      Posted

      Thanks, I'll keep an eye out for some of them. Studying is definitely an extra challenge with this condition - as a fellow student, good luck with your studies! smile
  • toni62403
    toni62403

    Posted

    Thank you everyone for your suggestions, they're much appreciated!
  • jane_0000
    jane_0000 toni62403

    Posted

    hi there ...

    I have light sensitivity as I have very little pigment in my eyes. I was born with very light blue eyes with little pigment causing migraines when the sun catches .. and am unable to do strobes fluorescent etc. so I have a double problem. I researched it and now have amazing sunnies with 100 % cover. which an optician found for me. I get lenses made overseas. but was wondering if it worth trying something like that in inside glasses. worth a try. I cant live without my glasses even in winter.

    sometimes with this illness tackling a thing at a time is less overwhelming....

    take care

    Jane

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