Nearly 48 million people in the United States suffer from migraine.1 In addition to debilitating headaches and nausea, 80% to 90% of these patients experience photophobia during, after, and between attacks.2 The most severe cases can involve daily, disabling sensitivity to light, which drives many patients to a dark room until symptoms pass—often for hours.
Seeking help from an optometrist probably wouldn’t occur to many migraine sufferers, yet Avulux® Migraine & Light Sensitivity Lenses present an effective means of reducing their discomfort.
“Most people do not think of eye doctors as providers that can have a solution to their migraine symptoms,” says Allise Markowski, OD, owner of Connecticut Vision Associates in Suffield, Conn. “But once patients understand this and communicate their symptoms to us, we are able to share information about lens technology and how it can help reduce light sensitivity.”
Blue, amber, and red wavelengths are believed to trigger and/or worsen light sensitivity, while green wavelengths help to ease it.3 Avulux lenses filter out up to 97% of blue, amber, and red light while allowing in more than 70% of green light, and have been proven effective in an independent, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study—the highest scientific standard.3
The glasses can be worn all day or only while engaging in activities that trigger migraine, such as extended
computer use or exposure to harsh light.
As someone living with migraine herself, Dr. Markowski can testify to the efficacy of the Avulux lenses.
“I have personally experienced the sensation of getting a migraine, which is normally a warning sign that I have about 20 minutes to get into a dark room before the migraine comes into full force,” she says. “But now, instead of running for the covers in those 20 minutes, I put on my Avulux lenses, and the migraine never gets to an intolerable level.”
Creating a Subspecialty
Motivated by her success, Dr. Markowski added a migraine subspecialty to her general optometry practice, which she founded in 2020. As part of every patient encounter, she asks about migraine and light sensitivity issues.
“At first, a lot of patients did not understand why I was asking them such specific questions,” she says. “Many people think they are just coming in for glasses and contacts, or to rule out glaucoma or macular degeneration.”
When Dr. Markowski comes across candidates for Avulux, she describes how light sensitivity associated with migraine can cause and aggravate their symptoms. “When I explain how [the lenses] filter both blue and red wavelengths, it clicks for the patient,” she says. Dr. Markowski then refers them to her in-house optician for a demonstration.
“I educate the patients in the exam room, but the magic happens in optical,” she says. “With all the positive responses from patients within the first 5 minutes of wearing them, these lenses sell themselves.”
Implementing a migraine subspecialty by leveraging Avulux lenses is an easy way to add value to an optometry practice.
“As providers, we can get very excited about technology, but getting staff and patient buy-in can be a hurdle,” Dr. Markowski notes. “With the Avulux lenses, no special equipment is needed; it doesn’t take more time in the exam room; and most patients get excited about eyeglasses that can help solve their problem.”
The ultimate takeaway is “to be the doctor that asks their patients about migraine and makes the recommendation to wear Avulux glasses,” she says. “If you aren’t doing that, your patients will go to other doctors for help.”
REFERENCES
1. Martin VT, Feoktistov A, Solomon GD. A rational approach to migraine diagnosis and management in primary care. Ann Med. 2021;53(1):1979-1990.
2. Wu Y, Hallett M. Photophobia in neurologic disorders. Transl Neurodegener. 2017;6:26.
3. Hoggan RN, Subhash A, Blair S, et al. Thin-film optical notch filter spectacle coatings for the treatment of migraine and photophobia. J Clin Neurosci. 2016;28:71-76.
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