Ansam Khan¹*, Vanessa Rodwell ²* , Lillian Zevlaris²

1 – Department of Medical Education, North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, Huntingdon, GBR

2 – Ulverscroft Eye Unit, College of Life Sciences, School of Psychology and Vision Sciences, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, University of Leicester, Leicester, GBR

* Joint First Authors

Introduction

Photophobia, a condition characterised by reduced light tolerance, can cause significant discomfort for those affected. For many, exposure to bright light triggers intense headaches or eye pain. While some people experience this sensitivity only temporarily – due to medications or fleeting conditions – others live with it as a constant companion. Chronic photophobia is often tied to neurological issues like migraines or strokes, or to eye disorders such as dry eyes, optic neuritis, and even albinism (1).

The profound impact of photophobia on daily life is undeniable, but there’s hope in the form of modern eyewear solutions, where health and fashion converge. For those with severe photophobia, protective sunglasses are a lifeline outdoors. However, experts like the NHS warn against using them indoors, as doing so can actually heighten light sensitivity over time (2). With a variety of conditions—ranging from dry eyes and migraines to traumatic brain injuries—worsening this sensitivity, the demand for eyewear that is both functional and fashionable has never been more crucial!

The Evolution of Medical Eyewear: From Function to Fashion

Historically, medical eyewear, particularly for conditions like photophobia, was bulky, unattractive, and purely functional. Many patients, especially children, were stigmatised for wearing such glasses, leading to a cultural reluctance to embrace medical eyewear. For example, children with squints often faced bullying for wearing eye patches, while media portrayals of characters with conditions like albinism perpetuate negative stereotypes (3).

However, today’s consumers are more fashion-conscious and demand solutions that not only serve their medical needs but also align with their personal style. The eyewear industry has responded by integrating cutting-edge technologies with sleek, modern designs, allowing individuals to manage their condition without compromising their appearance. The result is eyewear that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing, supporting patients in their daily lives rather than hindering them.

In recent years, medical eyewear has become a more mainstream and even fashionable accessory, thanks in part to collaborations with designers and increased visibility in popular culture. Several companies have partnered with fashion houses to create eyewear that not only serves medical purposes but also aligns with current style trends. Celebrities who wear medical glasses for conditions like photophobia have further contributed to destigmatising these products, transforming them from medical necessities into trendy, sought-after items (4).

Modern Medical Eyewear for Photophobia

The technological advancements in lens design play a key role in improving quality of life for those with photophobia (5). Several innovative features can make a significant difference:

UV Protection: Prolonged exposure to UV rays can lead to serious eye conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration. For individuals with heightened sensitivity to light, such as those with albinism, UV protection is essential.

Tinted Lenses: Warm rose-brown tints have been shown to reduce light sensitivity by blocking specific wavelengths of light that trigger migraines and discomfort (6).

Polarising Lenses: By reducing glare from reflective surfaces like water or pavement, polarising lenses offer added comfort, especially in outdoor settings.

Photochromic Lenses: These lenses automatically adjust their tint according to the ambient light level, darkening in bright sunlight and lightening in dimmer environments, helping individuals adapt more easily to fluctuating conditions.

The design of the frames also contributes to enhanced comfort and utility for photophobic patients. Wraparound frames that minimise peripheral light exposure are particularly beneficial, as they block excess light from entering the eyes from the sides. Additionally, lightweight materials, such as titanium and acetate, are ideal for individuals who need to wear glasses for extended periods without discomfort.

Moreover, customisation options now allow patients to choose eyewear that not only meets their medical needs but also complements their face shape, skin tone, and personal style (Figure 1). This shift towards personalised design has helped to bridge the gap between functional medical eyewear and fashionable accessories.

Figure 1: Artistic collage showcasing personal expressions of individuals with photophobia, inspired by the latest fashion designs in medical eyewear.

Eyewear Review

Table 1: A review of seven top fashion medical eyewear brands.

Brand	Lens Technology	Frame Selection	Frame Colours	Wrap -around Frames for Severe Photophobia	Women Friendly Designs	Children’s Options	Price Range
Axon Optics	Avulux Tint: Filters up to 97% of harmful blue, amber, and red light, while allowing soothing green light through, making it distinct from FL-41 lenses.	Wide range	Many options	Yes (one style available)	Two women-specific styles, 19 unisex; variety of widths	No	£268 to £331
Theraspecs	FL-Pro™: Maximum FL-41 protection for artificial lights/screens. Sleep: Blocks 100% blue light, promoting sleep. FL-Sun™: Maximum protection for outdoor use.	Wide range	Many options	Yes (one style available)	Unisex frames; offers petite wraparound version for smaller faces	Yes	£95 to £144 (prescription/reading glasses: £200+)
Avulux	Avulux Tint: Filters up to 97% of harmful blue, amber, and red light, while allowing soothing green light, offering a unique alternative to FL-41 lenses.	Wide range	Many options	No	One women-specific frame, 9 unisex designs	No	£273 to £338 (non-prescription)
Maui Jim	PolarizedPlus2: Provides 100% UV protection, eliminates glare, and manages high-energy visible light.	Wide range	Many options	Yes (multiple styles availab	All frames are unisex	No	£160 to £447
Silhouette	High-impact polycarbonate lenses with 100% UVA, UVB, and UVC protection (UV 400). Anti-reflective coating on the backside for reduced glare.	Wide range	Many options	No	Yes	No	£265 to £635
ZEISS Adaptive Sun	Adaptive lenses that adjust from dark to darker based on sunlight exposure, ensuring consistent colour for comfort and clear vision.	Less varied selection	Limited	No	Some unisex options	No	£245+ per pair (custom ordered adaptive lenses); £90+ sunglasses
Hoya Vision (Sensity)	Sensity lenses adapt to sunlight, darkening outdoors and fading to clear when indoors.	Depends on optician (custom ordered)	Unclear	Unclear (custom order dependent)	Unclear (optician-dependent)	No	Unclear (Sensity lenses cost an additional £70)

Challenges: Price and Accessibility

While the evolution of medical eyewear offers numerous benefits, it is not without challenges. One of the most significant barriers is the cost. High-quality eyewear with advanced lens technology and customisable options can be prohibitively expensive, making it inaccessible to many who would benefit from it. For children, particularly, access to affordable eyewear solutions remains a pressing concern.

Additionally, although there is a growing trend toward fashionable eyewear, there remains a disparity in the availability of such options in less affluent markets. Many individuals, especially in developing countries, still lack access to basic protective eyewear, let alone customisable, high-tech solutions.

Conclusion

In the past, individuals with ophthalmological conditions like photophobia were forced to choose between functionality and fashion—a compromise that often left them feeling restricted. Heavy, unappealing frames dominated the market. But today, that compromise is no longer necessary. Advances in medicine, engineering, and fashion have merged to produce eyewear that is practical and aesthetically pleasing. However as evidenced in our review, there is a high price-tag associated with this functional fashion. These benefits should be made equally accessible to all. In doing so, we have the potential to enhance the quality of life for photophobic individuals, transforming medical eyewear into a symbol of confidence and personal empowerment.

References

1. Albilali A, Dilli E. Photophobia: When Light Hurts, a Review. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports. 2018 Jul 30;18(9).
2. Sensitivity to Light/Photophobia – Scottish Acquired Brain Injury Network [Internet]. Scot.nhs.uk. 2024. Available from: https://www.acquiredbraininjury-education.scot.nhs.uk/impact-of-abi/sensory-overload-hypersensitivity/sensitivity-to-lightphotophobia/
3. K Koklanis, Z Georgievski. Patching treatment and bullying. The British Journal of Ophthalmology [Internet]. 2007 [cited 2025 Jan 29];91(1):123. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1857587/
4. ‌12 Celebrities Who Publicly Battled Light Sensitivity [Internet]. TheraSpecs. 2020 [cited 2025 Jan 29]. Available from: https://www.theraspecs.com/blog/celebrities-with-light-sensitivity/?srsltid=AfmBOorgHWyp39IX0rMSjjkNUzK7ZDwSmag_xs57UC_f175TvG0U1xU6
5. ‌Five steps to getting the right glasses for light sensitivity [Internet]. RNIB. 2024 [cited 2025 Jan 29]. Available from: https://www.rnib.org.uk/your-eyes/eye-conditions-az/light-sensitivity-photophobia/five-steps-to-getting-the-right-glasses-for-light-sensitivity/
6. ‌Clark J, Hasselfeld K, Bigsby K, Divine J. Colored Glasses to Mitigate Photophobia Symptoms Posttraumatic Brain Injury. Journal of Athletic Training. 2017 Aug;52(8):725–9.
7. Canva. AI-generated image of people with photophobia wearing tinted lenses and wraparound sunglasses [Internet]. Canva; 2025 [cited 2025 Jan 29]. Available from: https://www.canva.com