Sensitivity to light

Yes, yes, me too!

I posted about getting my car windows tinted a couple of years ago, and was ridiculed by a certain Mr J (!) for 'pimping-up-my-ride' lol and wanting dark windows!

Not the case at all .. I suffer just like you do, and have to wear my sunglasses all the time when I'm outside, and quite often inside too (shopping malls for example)

I've not done anything about it, so can't advise on any course of action, other than turning my screen down, wearing sunglasses and generally being aware of it. I'd definitely ask to swap desks if it's too bright where you are now. And/or ask for a screen filter as I had one of those to stop the glare too (which helped reduce my migraines)

Oh yay its not just me!! it seems to be mostly white light, as in my old job I had my own office and had a normal desk lamp which worked really well. But I only realised how bad it was yesterday when I just had to ask the course tutor to turn the light off! They didn't mind but it was just literally doing my head in. I wonder if there is a course of action, apart from wearing sunglasses and normal glasses at work...is there even a name for this!?

thanks peaches, hope you're ok ?

I do too but have a reason for mine (Lupus) so at least have an explanation. It's really tough sometimes so I feel for you all. ?

Does anyone else feel faint in shops like M&S and Asda with really bright lights? I hate it.

I thought it was my aversion to spending money!!! Seriously, is it the lighting which makes me feel light-headed and dizzy? Hell, you could have just turned a light-bulb (no pun intended at all!) in my head as I've often wondered why I feel so crap when shopping. All jokes aside, this has probably answered a niggling question I've had for years.

I thought it was my aversion to spending money!!! Seriously, is it the lighting which makes me feel light-headed and dizzy? Hell, you could have just turned a light-bulb (no pun intended at all!) in my head as I've often wondered why I feel so crap when shopping. All jokes aside, this has probably answered a niggling question I've had for years.

It is indeed! If you have sensitivity to light, such bright lights are bound to make you feel awful. They are unnessecarily bright. Sunglasses help, even if you do look a bit silly. ?

I know of people with Lupus who have ended up in hospital after too long in somewhere like M&S as it has induced such a bad flare.

Yes Yes Yes!!! OMG if that's true it could be a major revelation. I suffer from panic attacks/agoraphobia and I noticed that it got worse if i was in really bright lights. looked it up a few weeks ago and sure enough, apparently the flicker of fluorescent lights makes agorophobic/anxiety symptoms worse!!

I used to think the flickering of flourescent lights brought on my migraines, as I used to have them a lot at work when I was using the PC, and they improved if I made everyone switch the lights off. However, I think it was the flicker of the lights interfering with the flicker of the monitor, as now I've switched to a flat screen monitor my migraines have almost completely disappeared.

I'm not surprised that the lighting in shops makes some people feel unwell, and aggravates some conditions.

? It is true that bright lights in shops will affect you if you are generally sensitive to light.

It could also be irlens syndrome http://www.irlenuk.com/ - I am a trained screener and up to 25% of the population have this but don't realise. Basically it is a perception problem where the sufferer has an intolerance to part of th spectrum of light. It affects their reading (words appear to move or join together etc.) Sufferer often have an adversion to flourescent light and M&S, Boots and ASDA are common shops that they can not bear to go into.

When someone is screened it is two steps - first they are screen to see if they do have Irlens and are assessed for a coloured overlay to put over things thay have to read/computer screens - this is often free. (It is when I do it!) then the second stage involves going to the Irlens centre and they will do a more thourough screen which will end up with them finding a coloured lense that is most suited to you (every body is different) - This costs upto £300 and includes them tinting the lenses of your glasses).

It has also been found that their is a hereditary link so if a child has irlens often their siblings and one of their parents have it. If any of you are in Kent I am happy to screen you for free. Also if you have any questions pm me.

I hope I have helped

Wow tigresslady, that is super helpful, im going to have a look at the website now. Thanks so much!

Me too, but I've been fixed

I actually discovered the cause when I went to the doctor to request a hearing test. My Dad, both of his sisters and both of his parents had or have some degree of deafness, so when I noticed I was struggling to hear in some situations I worried I was going deaf. I went to the doc and got referred to the specialist at St. George's Hospital. They did tests and discovered that I actually have better than average hearing. She then started asking me about light sensitivity and headaches. This is where it got technical and I hope I get all this right: I apparently have something wrong with my central nervous system. It's hyperactive and won't slow down. This is why I'm sensitive to light, why I get headaches and why I struggle to hear in some circumstances - I can't tune out background noise. She told me to cut red meat, red wine and caffeine out of my diet and it's made a massive difference.

Now I don't suffer so much with headaches (about one a month as opposed to three or four a week before), only get light sensitivity when I have a headache and, although I still struggle hearing a bit in noisy environments, my hearing is much better.

Melancholie that sounds complicated and im glad you're better!

in my case I dont eat red meat, wine or caffeine (im a bit dull in that sense)...does your hyperactive nervous system cause you any other problems?

Used to get headrush-style dizzy spells, but these have almost completely stopped now too.