Concussion & Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) Glasses

Concussion & Light Sensitivity: How NeuroTint Filters Ease Post-Concussion Symptoms

Why light becomes a problem after concussion (mTBI)

After a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury, many people develop photophobia, a painful sensitivity to light. Even ordinary lighting (such as bright screens, flickering fluorescents, or warm bulbs) can trigger headaches, nausea, dizziness, or make recovery more difficult. Here’s why:

• Brain trauma often causes cortical hyperexcitability. The brain becomes over-reactive to visual input, especially flickering or harsh lighting.
• The intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), which detect ambient light and help regulate pain pathways, can be overly responsive and trigger migraine-like symptoms.
• Light input can activate trigeminal nerve pathways, intensifying headache and discomfort.
• In many cases, flicker (especially at frequencies emitted by fluorescents and some LEDs) worsens sensitivity by overstimulating visual processing areas that are already on edge.

NeuroTint FL-41 for concussion light sensitivity

Best for: anyone whose post-concussion symptoms worsen under blue-white light, like from screens, fluorescents, LEDs, or computer work.

How it works (simply):

• Filters 480–520 nm (blue-green light), which heavily activates ipRGCs and contributes to visual overstimulation after head injury.
• Calms visual cortex reactivity, reducing visual aura, headache, and fatigue.
• Eases trigeminal activation, lowering the pain response to light.
• Supported by evidence: The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends FL-41 for concussion-related photophobia. In one study, about 85% of post-concussion patients reported symptom relief with tinted lenses versus no relief with dark sunglasses alone. Case reports also show FL-41 can successfully relieve severe light sensitivity after mTBI.
  

Not sure which tint to choose?

For management of light sensitivity symptoms from concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries, we recommend using FL-41 50%. 

References

• American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends FL-41 tinted glasses to treat photophobia after concussion. 85% of patients reported relief with tinted lenses.
• Cross-sectional study: 85% of post-concussion patients with light sensitivity found relief using colored glasses.
  
• Case report: Soldier with severe post-concussion light sensitivity had symptom relief using FL-41 lenses.
• Colored/tinted lenses improve vision and reduce photophobia in TBI, aiding reading and contrast sensitivity.
• Photophobia is common after mTBI; while RCTs are lacking, tinted lenses show promise in clinical use.
  
• FL-41 blocks 480–520 nm light and relieves light-triggered discomfort in photophobia, migraine, TBI, with fMRI data supporting reduced brain activation.