How do you spend your days?

I am an art historian. I work with the curatorial and music departments at a major American museum of modern and contemporary art. Until a recent promotion within the museum, I also worked one day a week as an adjunct art history professor. In short, my entire career is looking at and researching visual art in careful detail. I do extensive computer research in front of a bright computer screen, initiate design of promotional materials, etc. In short, my eyes are my job.

How does your light sensitivity impact your day-to-day life?

It has been a very long process adapting to photosensitivity in my early 30s. I developed a neurological disorder that makes me very light sensitive. I live in a big city, and the fluorescent lights in public transit combined with frequent emergency vehicle strobes are a common problem. I fall down a lot. Sometimes I vomit. I get very dizzy and my equilibrium is just gone. Light also triggers my migraines.

What prompted you to try TheraSpecs?

I went to a concert with my boyfriend, to see a new band (partially because we love live music, and partially because I work with a concert series and need to frequent other venues to stay sharp). The venue for this concert was small and dark, with black lights and a VERY aggressive strobe light show. I fell on the ground and vomited. I couldn't get my balance with my eyes open. A rude bouncer shouted at me, thinking I was extremely drunk, until I fell on the ground seizing. I love live music. I love my job. I've got concert tickets purchased already for months and months in advance, and they're a major part of my relationship, friendships, social life, and career. My brother speculated that perhaps there were special glasses for people who are sensitive to lights. Assuming I'd only find glasses that looked like giant dorky cataract goggles, I resolved to try anything.

Which style of TheraSpecs do you own? Why did you select that style?

I have Pilot, the aviator-style TheraSpecs. I sprung for the outdoor and indoor, and I carry both pairs everywhere I go. I selected the aviators because they look like normal sunglasses that I would buy under non-medical circumstances. They look nothing like what I expected medically useful glasses to look like! The only attention they ever attract is in the form of compliments. I decided to go ahead and try both kinds because I wasn't sure if the indoor ones would be strong enough, and because my photosensitivity is such a problem. I knew I could return or exchange them if they didn't work, so I figured, why not?

What else have you tried?

A lot of the time I would just stagger around with my eyes closed and hands out. I would also try to use my old drug store sunglasses, which worked okay as long as I was outside in daylight and the light wasn't too blue and didn't flicker. None of it worked.

How do TheraSpecs help you?

My TheraSpecs have really changed my life, as dorky as I feel saying that. I have been to several brightly stage-lit concerts since. It has been a sunny summer. I work in front of a computer screen pretty often and have a big sunny window in my office. I don't fall as often, and almost never as hard. I can keep my balance on the buses and trains much better. I'm not completely limited by my physical struggle anymore. And I swear wearing them has reduced the frequency of my migraines, too. Staring at the computer is no good for your eyes. These help reduce that strain!

Is there anything more you would like to share about your TheraSpecs experience?

If you're not sure if they're right for you, try them anyway. Chat with one of the TheraSpecs staff. They just might make your world bigger.

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