Good Morning, everyone! The sun is out, the birds are singing, and it’s time to grab those sunglasses because summer will be here before we know it!
But did you know that in addition to be stylish, your sunglasses can also help with seizure management? For those of you that suffer from seizures caused by strobing (flashing) lights, like myself, you may find this tip especially helpful.
Flashing lights are everywhere these days:
- in store displays (I think every single Bed Bath & Beyond has a strobing globe light inside their front door)
- police and other emergency vehicles
- garbage trucks
- sunlights glittering on car windshields between train cars (dangerous when you are stopped at a train track in your car)
- fire drills at work
- movies
- concerts, church services, etc
- restaurants (such as Rainforest Cafe)
- bowling alleys
- weddings (Andy and I have been to 7 weddings in the past 3 years and I think only one of them didn’t have strobe lights going on)
The list goes on and on!
Luckily, finding a high quality pair of sunglasses can make a monumental change in how much these strobing lights affect you! Keep in mind that high quality doesn’t always mean high price! Essentially there are 4 things that you need to keep in mind when finding a pair of sunglasses that will block the light properly for you:
- Polarized: sunglasses labeled as polarized cut down on glare and help you see more clearly in bright lights
- Wrap Arounds: These help reduce the amount of strobing lights that you see out of your peripheral vision
- Light blocking: Put the sunglasses on and look in the mirror. If you can see your eyes in the mirror through the sunglasses, they are not dark enough to block out strobing lights
- Style: Make sure you actually like the sunglasses that you are purchasing! If you feel good in them, you’ll be more likely to wear them in public.
I currently have two pairs of sunglasses that work wonders in blocking out strobing lights. I wear them in restaurants, in movies, outside, at wedding receptions… pretty much anywhere that there will be flashing lights! It may feel a little silly at first, putting on your sunglasses when no one else is wearing them, but trust me it really does make a difference!
One pair that I own is Victory Brand. They are solid black and have a slight wrap around to help block out light that I might see from my periphery.
The second pair that I own is from Lillians Anoka. They aren’t a particular brand, but they are very dark and block out a lot of light! Remember, high quality doesn’t mean you have to spend a bundle! These glasses were free after spending a certain amount in store!
Do you have a special pair of sunglasses that help you in this way? I’d love to hear what brand they are so that we can all start adding to our collections! Remember, if wearing your sunglasses indoors helps with seizure management, then it’s not silly or embarrassing; its absolutely necessary. And you won’t be alone wearing your sunglasses, I’ll be out there somewhere, wearing mine too!
Thanks again for stopping by and have a wonderful Friday!
And don’t forget…
Seize The Day!
Hello from Minnesota! I was diagnosed with Generalized Idiopathic Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in 2006. My goal is to create and contribute to a community for those living with Epilepsy & other neurological disorders, so that we can support each other, raise awareness, and share our hope for fewer seizures in the future!