Addressing Light Sensitivity After a Concussion

By: Paige Carroll, PT, DPT, CBIS

Many of us experience some form of light sensitivity, especially after a concussion, which can make navigating multiple environments challenging and uncomfortable. It can be a barrier in returning to school, work, and driving. Research does not support avoidance of light, but rather gradual exposure. Light exposure plays a vital role in our sleep/wake cycle. Avoiding lights can lead to sleep disruption, increased photosensitivity, and fatigue.

Here are some tips to address light sensitivity:

Wear sunglasses outdoors to protect from strong UV rays

Wear a hat indoors to block overhead lights if needed

Change phone settings to “night mode”

Wear blue blocker lenses at night only

  • There are several types of glasses at various price points available for those who need blue blocker lenses for nighttime wear. The following list of glasses are not the only ones available and not everyone reports relief with glasses:
  1. Theraspecs: Theraspecs are marketed as migraine-relief glasses with light-filtering lenses. They have a variety of styles with indoor, outdoor and prescription lenses available. Price: $99 and up
  2. Eye Buy Direct: Eye Buy Direct offers options for digital screen protection glasses that filter out blue light. They can be made with or without a prescription and are not tinted unless viewing a screen when a slight purple/blue tint will appear. Price: $25 and up
  3. Target and Amazon: Target and Amazon both offer affordable options. Search ‘light sensitivity glasses’ in the search bar on these websites for a variety of light-filtering glasses. Price: $25 and up

Dim light on screens and gradually increase brightness over time

Progressively increase screen time

Try using over-the-counter eye drops for dry eyes

If you need help addressing light sensitivity or any other concussion symptoms, the concussion experts at Sheltering Arms can help. Learn more about our concussion program by clicking here, or call (804) 764-1000 to schedule an evaluation.

Share This Post:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
RehaBlog

More Posts

Rediscovering Identity: Navigating Life After Limb Loss

The full or partial loss of a limb is a challenging, life-altering event. Those who experience it often endure changes in many aspects of their life from their work to their relationships to their perception of themselves. There is a grieving process due to the loss of the limb, and the apparent loss of the life that they had once lived. These factors can leave individuals with limb loss struggling with their personal identity or how they see themselves and the qualities specific to them. Self-esteem and self-confidence may decline and be replaced by feelings of inadequacy.

5 Exercises to Strengthen Your Core

The core and its importance in exercise is far more complex than most people know. In its entirety, the core can be thought of as a box that includes the abdominals in the front, the spinal and gluteal muscles in the back, the diaphragm as the roof, and the pelvic floor and hip muscles as the bottom. When all these muscle groups are equally strong and working together, safe and stable exercise is possible. However, if any of these core muscle groups are weak, it can lead to strain and overuse injuries. Thus, it is important to have a varied core exercise program to maintain a healthy and balanced core.

Why Do My Therapists Collect Outcome Measures?

If you have received physical rehabilitation services at some point, your therapist likely said to you, “Today, we are going to collect some outcome measures to see where we are starting.” Hopefully, you also heard, “Today, we are going to repeat those outcome measures to see how well you are doing.” Those two statements alone should provide some insight as to why outcome measures are being performed. Outcome measurement can give therapists an idea of where a patient is starting at the beginning of their therapy journey prior to any appointments, treatments, or intervention. Outcome measures also provide a way to see progress during the plan of care and the success of those appointments, treatments, or interventions.

Occupational Therapy for Concussions

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that can have far reaching effects on daily life by impacting vision, balance, memory, attention, problem solving, emotions, and sleep. Occupational therapists specialize in rehabilitation and adapting activities of daily life. Occupational therapy is highly individualized and centers on the specific roles, impairments, and demands of each person. Based on the specific needs of the individual, occupational therapy is often used to address the following after a concussion:

Start your Journey

Learn more about Sheltering Arms Institute

Contact a specialist at Sheltering Arms Institute to learn more about how you can gain more freedom in your everyday life.