Atypical Vision Problem *update* Back!

[hematite153]

I've often been told that I have very light sensitive eyes--although nothing like you--and they are brown as well. I don't think that eye-colour affects sensitivity...but I don't really know enough to say.

I have been reading this thread for awhile but didn't really have anything to contribute that hadn't already been said. But I have been thinking that I do have one suggestion nobody's mentioned.

Especially in light of your comment that the new sunglasses didn't work...

I find that regular sunglasses actually make my eyes more sensitive and my pupils increase so that the light entering them doesn't really change. However, polarized sunglasses are great! I used to have a pair (finally replaced them after 12 years) that were a light yellow colour such that I could wear them easily indoors. But, by polarizing the light they were also sufficient for outdoors as well.

My newer pair is fancier and therefore even better (I never knew this was possible) for outdoor use but causes problems if I try to use them indoors. (Note: don't try reading resort CS screens with polarized lenses on--it won't work unless you are standing in the perfect spot.)

Also, have you spoken to your optometrist about an astigmatism? My eye doctor told me years ago that I had a "slight astigmatism and it wasn't worth correcting". After getting increasing numbers of headaches, I finally decided to go to another optometrists and get glasses. Yes, one of the lenses is plano (the other is -.25) but it has an astigmatism correction. I can pass a 20/20 vision test without my glasses but I wear them almost all the time. (I will take them off in heavy rain or in any rain at night.) No only do I get fewer headaches, but, I have also found that correcting the astigmatism decreases my light sensitivity. (Something about the way my eyeball was bending the light?)

My new sunglasses are both polarized and prescription so that might be why they work so well.

One other question to ask...have you ever been evaluated by an Irlen Diagnostician? They look for colour processing difficulties that can have all kinds of effects on people. (You mostly hear about Irlen in terms of reading disabilities but it's not really that focused.) Irlen lenses are very expensive but would be specially tinted to change the colour spectrum to whatever it is that your brain processes best. (Yes, it's your eyes that feel the pain from the sun but only because your brain sends back messages in response to the visual stimuli.)


Have a good trip whatever happens!

 

[lisabelll]

I have a problem with photo sensitivity, although not to the degree you have. You said you are ordering sunglasses that fit over your regular glasses. I have never ordered any but I HAVE to use sunglasses that fit over my glasses. I can't wear contacts and clips ons are useless because all of the light that gets in from the sides. I wear "Solar Shields" (here is a link from amazon http://www.amazon.com/Maxi-Aids-Sol...4F2/ref=pd_bxgy_hpc_img_b/104-3809430-2049530 ) I buy them at Wal-mart or Walgreen's. They are MUCH MUCH MUCH better then clip-ons. They run around $20 a pair. Maybe you could grab a pair for back up??? If they are not dark enough, perhaps bring your clip-ons and wear those over your glasses and the Solar Shields over them???

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

 

[Independence1776]

I have a slight astigmatism in one eye that doesn't need to be corrected (at least that's what I was told a couple years ago). I'm not worried, because I've had them before and it's gone away before. Secondly, I was light sensitive before the optomotrist said anything. Polarization would be wonderful, but the coloration of the filter is gray, and would thus mess up the tint I chose.

I've heard of the Irlen filters, but decided it wasn't worth it. The company I went with (NoIR) has numerous colors tints, and I picked the one that's the closest to my regular clip-ons (I love the color, it just isn't tinted dark enough). Solar Shields didn't have the right color (for some reason, amber and the other colors shown don't work for me).

The new sunglasses I ordered I need to return. The lady who took my order apparently misheard me and sent a lighter tint than I ordered (though she was correct about the size). So, looks like I'm wearing the bigger ones at Disney. (And if I need to use my cane, so be it, no matter what my parents say.)

Thanks for all your help! I really appreciate it. I'll update about the trip after we get back (leaving tommorow!).

 

[bopper]

You should try sunglasses they use for climbing Mount Everest as they are designed to be darker and also protect from the sides. From a site about gear to bring to Mount Everest.

" Glacier glasses with Side Covers. 100% UV, IR, high quality optical lenses designed for mountain use, must have side covers, leashes, and a nose guard is particularly helpful (Chums MelaNoNo is a good brand). No more than 8% light transmission. Suggested: Bolle, Bucci, Julbo Round "Arc"or Cebe. If you wear contact lenses we recommend packing a spare pair of glasses-it is a good idea to have these with "photo-gray" or equivalent light-sensitive material so they can double as emergency sunglasses. If you wear glasses we recommend prescription glacier glasses (gray or amber). Talk to your eye care professional to find out where prescription glacier glasses are available. Regular sunglasses are not dark enough and do not provide any side protection from the sun. For prescription Glacier Glasses, contact Black Diamond (801) 278-5533 or Opticus

 

[hematite153]

I have a slight astigmatism in one eye that doesn't need to be corrected (at least that's what I was told a couple years ago). I'm not worried, because I've had them before and it's gone away before.

This is exactly what I was told. However, I really do believe that there is something about how my eyeball is bending the light that makes it more intense.
Having glasses with an astigmatism correction makes a HUGE difference.

I have seen polarized lenses in many tints (mine aren't gray) although most places have limited options.

Whatever you do, good luck with finding better options and have a great disney trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

Good luck on your trip.

 

[Independence1776]

Thanks for all your wishes! I had a lot of fun. I haven't been on the Internet much, so this is a little late.

Saturday at MGM was the best, simply because of the tropical storm that came through north of Orlando. It was mostly cloudy and coolish all day. (In a costume with a hot robe, the clouds were a lifesaver just from the heat.) I did end up wearing my hat and clip-on sunglasses because it was too bright without them, no matter my Jedi costume. I did get weird looks because of that, though.

Sunday at MK was fine. I wore my clip-ons, fitovers, and hat constantly. The sun from about 11- 4 bothered me enough that I went sighted guide a few times. (I didn't have my cane because it was in the backpack, which my parents had and we were split up.) But it could have been a lot worse.

Monday at Epcot was the worst, and not because of my photophobia. That bothered me more than usual, but it was caused by other things. Namely, getting swimmer's ear in both ears, catching my sister's cold, and getting dehydrated on top of it all. Mom and I eventually agreed to drop me off at First Aid so I could rest in the AC. I ended up taking about an hour and a half nap (4:30 to 6) and was thus able to stay until after Illuminations (my favorite show). I was also able to point out to my parents that if I had needed to use my cane, it wouldn't have bothered the crowd- I saw a blind man using a cane around Soarin', which was the most crowded area of the park that day.

The cane was in the backpack all three days just in case. I would have liked to use it at MK for just a few hours, even just holding it while guided to let people know something was up and I wasn't just hanging onto my sister's arm for fun. My sister ended up not renting an ECV because her knee brace worked fine. She did say that if we would have been there one more day that she would have rented one.

All in all, it wasn't the best trip I've had there, but it was fun.

 

[leanan]

I am glad that it all went well for you. Do not worry what people thought of you hanging onto your sister's arm. The heat has been intense this year. I am glad first aid had space for you to hang out. I never thought of going there when overheated.

 

[SueM in MN]

thanks for the report. I had wondered how your trip went. It sounds like it was a success despite some glitches.

 

[Independence1776]

I am glad that it all went well for you. Do not worry what people thought of you hanging onto your sister's arm. The heat has been intense this year. I am glad first aid had space for you to hang out. I never thought of going there when overheated.

I don't care what people thought about sighted guide. It was more of the fact that because they had no idea my eyes were closed, they didn't know that I couldn't see them and move out of their way. The cane would have helped with that.

As for going to First Aid, I actually read something here or on AllEars about someone else using the place to cool down and take a nap. I'm lucky I remembered that, else I would have probably ended up going back to the hotel and might not have returned to the park.

It was a success- I'm thinking about doing a solo trip a few years from now.

 

[leanan]

I never thought about it that way but then I would have thought your sister would warn you when you need to move. Of course with that said I let my Dad walk right into a wall during the week he was legally blind. I am such a bad daughter.

 

[Independence1776]

She did, but she's not used to sighted guide techniques (neither am I, but I know the very basics), so it would have been easier all around if I had my cane.