Ever since her freshman year of high school, our office manager Calana has experienced debilitating migraines. Officially diagnosed with chronic migraines 17 years ago, she experiences at least 12 migraines a month. Triggered by light, then experiencing extreme light sensitivity, halos, nausea, fatigue, this condition has been very difficult to manage.
Since Calana excels in administrative positions, her work path has led her through a variety of office environments. Working in an office invariably leads to lots of computer time and overhead fluorescent lights. We’re so glad she ended up at Binyon Vision Center because we get the benefit of her talents. Over two years ago, aware of her condition, Dr. McEathron sent an article on this new migraine-relief lens technology to Calana. She pursued a trial of Avulux migraine relief glasses and they have been life changing for her. We hope the Avulux lenses now available at Binyon will also be life changing for more of our patients who deal with migraines.
How Avulux lenses work
Avulux lenses uniquely filter out blue, amber and red light, only allowing soothing green light to pass through. Blue and amber light affect cells in your eyes that secrete melanopsin, which can lead to migraine attacks and increase light-triggering pain.
The patented Avulux lens technology removes up to 97% of the triggering wavelengths. An independent, third party study conducted a double blind, placebo controlled study comparing the benefits of wearing Avulux lenses vs. clear plano lenses on patients with regular migraines (reference: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04341298). It was found that wearing Avulux in addition to a healthy life style statistically improved symptoms on an 11-point pain scale between 2-4 hours after wearing the lenses. The Avulux lens filter is the most scientifically researched and tested glasses device for migraine symptoms. Over eight years of development have gone into these lenses that are now available in single vision, progressive and plano (no prescription) lenses.
How to use Avulux lenses
Glasses with Avulux lenses can be worn either for preventative measures, or as migraine symptoms start. Calana’s main triggers are overhead lighting and heavy perfume smells. Without doubt, lighting in airports and airplanes have always triggered a migraine during the flight or upon landing. Calana recently traveled for work on two separate occasions and decided to wear her Avalux glasses. On all legs of her journey, she was migraine free! Instead of heading to the hotel to curl up in a dark room- she could go enjoy the sights and sounds of the city she visited. As a preventative measure, Calana wears her Avulux glasses when she is in an environment that triggers her migraines.
In addition- when Calana feels a migraine coming on, she grabs her Avulux glasses. Instead of craving a dark room- she feels relief. After a few minutes, she describes the feeling like when you relax and lower your shoulders- but in her eyes. Because lights are a main trigger for Calana’s migraines, she tried several other “migraine-reducing” glasses on the market and the popular tints. Avulux has been the best solution by far. She also likes that while other glasses distort color, the unique filter in these lenses keep colors true, something important in computer work. While migraines would often send her home from work before- she can keep working.
For more information on Avulux lenses
Binyon Vision Center is the only provider of Avulux lenses north of Seattle and south of Vancouver, BC. Our opticians have been trained in the specifications and fitting of these lenses. We have the ability to create Rx lenses in partnership with Cherry Optical lab in both single vision and progressive lens styles. We can also create a plano (non-Rx) lens and have fitover glasses with Avulux filters to pair with prescription glasses. To schedule time to discuss Avulux lenses with an optician- please call 360-647-2020.
Avulux offers a 60-day return policy for full refund when patients have tried continuous use for two weeks with no relief. Additional resources can be found at https://avulux.com/.
its
How often do you take your car to be serviced or head to the dentist? How often do you update the anti-virus software on your PC to protect your hard drive?
of the year- your birthday month – as soon as school’s out for summer or before the year is out – pick a time to schedule your yearly eye check up/regular preventative maintenance and stick to it! Your future self will thank you!
Whenever you spend time outside, there are easy ways to protect your eyes from the sun to help reduce the risks discussed above. Wearing quality sunglasses that provide 100% protection against UV-A and UV-B radiation is the first step. Transition lenses (that darken in sunlight) also provide 100% UV protection. Wrap-around sunglasses provide the most amount of protection. Don’t forget about protecting children and young adults eyes too! They typically spend the most time in the sun. Therefore, implementing the sunglasses habit can make the biggest impact to their long term eye health. It does this by reducing the amount of accumulative hours of UV exposure!
