Light sensitivity (also known as photophobia) is like a boss sending you a sneaky debuff. Every time light hits, your visual comfort HP plummets, your field of vision blurs, and you get a headache + eye strain combo that hurts.
So, how can you prevent and counter photophobia? With the right equipment, namely the right glasses! But be careful, there are several options: polarized sunglasses, tinted lenses, anti-blue light glasses ... It's not always easy to find your way around.
In this article, we explain how photosensitive glasses work with the added bonus of our top 5 to finally get rid of light sensitivity .
Our top 5 pairs of photosensitive glasses at a glance
Before we begin, here is an overview of our selection of photosensitive glasses against photophobia.
To find out more about all the models in this top 5, we'll see you at the end of the article with all the details!
| Model | Photo | Use | Price |
 |
Outdoors | 54 € | |
|
Horus X |
 |
Outdoors | €59.90 |
|
Gunnar Intercept |
 |
Indoors | €69.90 |
|
Horus X |
 |
Indoors | €69.90 |
|
Horus X |
 |
Indoors | €79.90 |
Reminder: Symptoms of photophobia (sensitivity to light)
Contrary to what you might think, photophobia is not the fear of light or a street lamp, but a reaction to brightness, even low intensity.
Basically, people suffering from photophobia feel discomfort or even intolerance to light , whether natural or artificial.
Symptoms vary from person to person, but the most common ones are:
- 🔦 Dazzle
- 😶🌫️ Blurred vision
- 😵💫 Eye strain
- 😭 Excessive tearing
- 🤕 Migraines, headaches
- 😵 Eye and neck pain
- 🔴 Inflammation of the eyes
- 👁️ Frequent blinking
But that's not all! Light sensitivity can also be a symptom of another condition. Patients suffering from photophobia may also have eye irritation (conjunctivitis, keratitis,dry eye , to name a few), a neurological condition such as meningitis, or even glaucoma. Finally, if you wear contact lenses , your sensitivity to light may also be due to this. Hence the usefulness of consulting at the slightest doubt!
💡 If you want to know more about the subject, we have written a complete guide right here: photophobia, symptoms and treatment .
Photosensitive glasses: what are they?
The term photosensitive glasses refers to glasses specially designed to reduce visual discomfort in people who are sensitive to light. Unlike conventional glasses, they incorporate lenses that filter or modulate certain specific wavelengths of light , in order to offer better tolerance.
Concretely, this means that they can:
- 🌈 Reduce light intensity with lenses tinted in a specific color (rose-tinted lenses, yellow or amber lenses in particular).
- 🪞 Protect from glare by filtering the wavelengths responsible for this phenomenon (around 484 nm in the light spectrum).
- 🔵 Block some of the blue light emitted by screens: particularly on blue-green wavelengths to which people with photophobia are more sensitive.
If you want to take your research further, we recommend reading this study that highlighted the effects of colored glasses and photosensitive lenses against migraines in people with photophobia.
Tinted sunglasses, polarized lenses, against blue light: what protection should you choose if you are sensitive to light?
When you suffer from photophobia, a pair of photosensitive glasses can greatly relieve the symptoms . While waiting for the cause of your light sensitivity to be diagnosed and treated, and even afterward, your practitioner may recommend that you wear appropriate glasses.
But not all glasses are equal , and you're probably a little lost when it comes to the different options.
Sunglasses with tinted lenses
Sunglasses with tinted lenses may seem like a good option if you suffer from sensitivity to light. That said, while they reduce light intensity, they don't necessarily filter out wavelengths that cause photophobia or glare.
So pay attention to the category of the lenses ( category 3 sunglasses , no less!), their color, compliance with current standards (CE standard and possibly UV400), but also the presence or absence of polarization, anti-reflective or photochromic treatment.
Be careful though! Wearing sunglasses indoors can cause chronic adaptation to light and lower your sensitivity threshold even further . Instead, opt for good sunglasses that reduce glare outdoors + anti-blue light glasses with a pink or amber filter for visual comfort indoors.
Polarized sunglasses
To reduce glare while protecting your sensitive eyes from bright light and UV rays, a pair of sunglasses with polarized lenses is ideal.
As with tinted sunglasses, the instruction is to wear them outdoors, then store them indoors , to favor tinted screen glasses.
Photochromic glasses
Photochromic lenses, which adapt to light , have the advantage of automatically switching from light to dark, but may be less effective indoors or react slowly depending on the light . In addition, they do not necessarily block certain specific wavelengths, such as blue light, for example.
Not all photosensitive glasses are photochromic, and photochromic lenses have their advantages and disadvantages . It's up to you to see which glasses suit you best!
Anti-blue light glasses
As we mentioned earlier, glasses that effectively filter blue light (especially on the wavelengths of green and blue light, between 480 and 520 nanometers) also help relieve photophobia indoors. And it also serves as a shield against eye strain when faced with screens !
Choose them with tinted lenses if possible, to maximize their benefits in case of photophobia. And pair them with effective sunglasses as soon as you leave your cave.
Top 5 Best Photophobia Protection Glasses
Now that you know everything about photosensitive glasses and their uses, we've put together a selection of great products to protect your eyes in all situations.
Polarized sunglasses: Sunski Shoreline (approx. €54)
To avoid eye strain and glare outdoors, we recommend good sunglasses that effectively block UV rays and reduce glare. The Shoreline sunglasses from Sunski, with their timeless look and UV 400 polarized amber lenses , are an excellent, affordable alternative.
Polarized sunglasses: Horus X Stockholm Sun (€59.90)
We had a hard time choosing just one model of Horus X polarized sunglasses because we love them so much (obviously, they're ours!). We recommend the Stockholm Sun, in Turtoise or Frost versions, with our XPLORER™ polarized lenses ( 100% anti-UV, anti-reflective ) for optimal comfort outdoors.
Amber anti-blue light glasses: Gunnar Intercept (€69.90)
For your comfort indoors, as we told you above, if you are photophobic, it is better to equip yourself with amber anti-blue light glasses. Among the models we recommend, there are the Intercept from Gunnar (with Amber or Amber max lenses ) which can do the job.
Amber anti-blue light glasses: Horus X Urban Revolution (€69.90)
Here too the choice was tough (go check all our models of anti-blue light glasses to make yours), but we stick with our best seller: the Urban Revolution , with its PLASMA® amber lenses and its design designed for optimal comfort. Like all our amber lens glasses, they ensure 100% anti-UV filtration, 100% of blue light 380 to 400 nanometers and 86% of blue light from 380 to 450 nanometers . All with anti-reflective coating and a lifetime warranty. You're welcome, it's nice.
Anti-blue light glasses with amber filter: Horus X Esport ProXima (€79.90)
If you are looking for clear amber lenses without compromising on protection, with a frame designed for comfort, we advise you to look at our Export ProXima . Initially designed for esports, they have the advantage of offering top-notch technology ( ULTRA ESPORT™: anti-UV, 100% of blue light 380 to 400 nm and 77% of blue light from 380 to 450 nm, anti-reflective ) with a slightly lighter tint for ultra-faithful color rendering.
The final word: photosensitive glasses for excellent eye protection
Let's recap: good photosensitive glasses against photophobia must protect against glare, reduce the brightness level, effectively filter blue-green wavelengths ( 480-520 nm) without compromising on quality. And for that, not 36 solutions: just 2! A good pair of sunglasses for outdoors, a good pair of glasses with tinted lenses for indoors, if possible anti-glare and anti-blue light and there, you will have THE nugget.
And if you still haven't found the Holy Grail with all the expert advice wisely dispensed in this article, we recommend you take the test to find out which pair of glasses are made for you : we promise, you'll definitely find the perfect one!
