Above Image: Example of tinted glasses. Not FL-41 but you get the idea.
The first article I posted on here was about tinted glasses. One of the biggest questions I get aside from how cool my glasses look is how do I get glasses in a similar style? In order for me to explain it properly, I first need to clarify what exactly is FL-41 and how it works.
What is FL-41?
FL-41 stands for flourescent 41. It is a shade of light which falls between 480-520 in the nanometer range. The filter is meant to filter out blue and some green light. Based on who manufactures the tint, the material of the lenses might affect how they feel on your face. (Some glasses might weigh more than others. You have to try them out for yourself). The tint might also be lighter or darker in shade. You have to do your homework before determining which brand works best for you. They are great for relieving eye strain if you have to be in front of a monitor all day.
Who can benefit from FL-41 glasses?
Since fluorescent lights and flickering or flashing lights are a trigger for people with photosensitive epilepsy or photophobia, FL-41 might be worth the investment. Sunglasses are NOT a great idea. Counter to what you may think, wearing sunglasses all the time indoors makes your eyes more sensitive to light. Migraine sufferers with or without aura might also benefit from FL-41 glasses. In one study, 50% of children felt relief from migraines wearing FL-41 glasses. They also filter out 80% of harmful fluorescent light. Which is great if you experience migraines and photosensitive epilepsy. These are NOT the same as green therapy glasses. (I will include a link for green therapy glasses below in case you are interested). They are not a long term cure for epilepsy or migraines either.
Great! Do they provide relief as they say online?
The American Journal of Ophtamology , of the test subjects done at the Miami Veterans Affairs, 70% of the subjects felt relief from eye strain and pain using FL-41 glasses. One patient in particular reported that the lenses helped manage symptoms. The test has MRI proof with brain scans proving how it works on the brain. Other studies done by brands like Avulux also coincide with how the lenses relieve the brain. But I suggest doing your homework before purchasing a pair of FL-41 glasses.
Does my insurance cover FL-41 glasses? If not, what can I do to get such glasses?
Most healthcare insurances do not cover FL-41 glasses. If your insurance has a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or a Health Spending Account (HSA), you could pay for your migraine glasses using this money. There are no grants available at Migraine or Epilepsy foundations to help offset the cost for these glasses. Depending on where you get them and if you need a prescription alongside the FL-41, your glasses could cost as much as $500 per pair.
Another option is to discuss getting an FL-41 tint on your glasses with your ophthalmologist. They might be able to accommodate to your needs. If your eye doctor's not able to do so, consider a neuro ophthalmologist. A neuro ophthamologist specializes in the optical issues associated with the brain. They might even be able to adapt your glasses with FL-41 tints.
What is the difference between FL-41 and Avulux ?
Unlike FL-41 glasses, Avulux glasses filter out more colors incorporating green light therapy into its lenses. Backed by Harvard research, these glasses block up to 97% of harmful light. Of course, if you have red light triggers it only does about 14% of the red light ( a factor to consider since most triggers for people with photosensitive epilepsy are red light sensitive). It is a slight difference but one worth investigating. You can visit their website for more information: https://avulux.com/pages/how-avulux-works
Downsides: Pricing and Not Preventing All Migraines or Seizures
Avulux lenses can cost up to $619.00 (not including the shipping and processing fees) It is a lot of money for glasses to wear when you have photophobia or you have migraines. The question is: how much is it worth to spend on such glasses?
Sure, they won't scratch as easily and don't break as fast. They also offer a 60 day trial period so if you don't like it, you can return them. Of course, finding a dealer near you can be a struggle. If you need your glasses as soon as possible, waiting for the Avulux glasses might feel like an eternity.
Of course, FL-41 glasses can get pricey too. There are cheap options like Zenni Optical.The prices are great and they have a variety of styles fashionable for anyone. https://www.zennioptical.com/b/fl-41-glasses?srsltid=AfmBOopZkrCt5qNeYaZTErvOvcafiP0QQSCZ7waXJGlZCho90ml2VfSM
The problem? They might weigh a lot on your face. Amazon and Ebay offer them too, but they are more like party glasses than "genuine" migraine or epilepsy glasses. Another downside is some places like Avulux or Zenni might not tint your glasses or offer an overclip if you have bifocals or trifocals ( a problem I read about in migraine and seizure blogs about these companies). Do your research before you buy. Then try and see which option works best for you.
I emphasize that FL-41 glasses, Avulux glasses and any migraine or green glasses are not a cure-all for migraines or epilepsy. It might do nothing for you.
Until we have more definitive answers from clinical research,, the best answers we have are trial and error. There is no such thing as a one size fits all shade to help migraineurs and epilepsy warriors affected by photophobia.
If you want more information on green light therapy, Avulux, and FL-41 glasses, check out these pages:
https://healthcare.utah.edu/moran/optometry/fl41-lenses
https://www.migrainedisorders.org/migraine-glasses/
https://eabb.org/color-light-and-epilepsy/
A Side Note:
If you have any extra FL-41 glasses, green therapy glasses, or Avulux glasses you don't use anymore, please consider donating them to your nearest Lions Club Eyeglass service. The cost of good prescription FL-41 glasses, green therapy glasses, and Avulux glasses are expensive for people with little or no insurance. As I stated before, there are no grants from any nonprofits connected to epilepsy or migraines. I want to change this and make such glasses more accessible.
By educating people about such glasses, I hope more people will donate old pairs to the Lions Club or at least help me hopefully connect or at least create a grant with other nonprofits like The Epilepsy Foundation and Migraine Disorders to continue spreading the word about these life changing glasses. If you are interested in this idea, please let me know in the comments section. Every little bit helps. Thank you!
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