Concussion / Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) can cause a variety of symptoms, including light sensitivity (photophobia), headaches, dizziness, and visual discomfort. Tinted lenses can help alleviate these symptoms by filtering out specific wavelengths of light that contribute to discomfort and neurological overstimulation.
How Tinted Lenses Can Help with Concussions and mTBI
Following a concussion or mTBI, the brain's ability to process visual information may be impaired, making certain wavelengths of light particularly bothersome. Blue and green light, in particular, can exacerbate symptoms by overstimulating the visual cortex. Tinted lenses selectively filter out these wavelengths, reducing eye strain and improving visual comfort.
NOIR 88 (Light Plum), NOIR 81 (Dark Plum), and C01 Plum lenses are specialty tinted lenses designed to help manage concussion symptoms by reducing light sensitivity (photophobia) and minimizing visual overstimulation, which are common post-concussion issues. Here's how they work:
1. NOIR 88 (Light Plum) & NOIR 81 (Dark Plum)
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These are plum-tinted lenses designed to selectively filter certain wavelengths of light, particularly blue and green light, which can trigger discomfort and headaches in individuals with post-concussion syndrome.
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NOIR 88 (Light Plum) offers a milder tint, suitable for moderate light sensitivity, while NOIR 81 (Dark Plum) is darker, providing stronger protection in environments with bright or artificial lighting.
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These tints help reduce glare, improve contrast, and provide relief from visual overstimulation, which can worsen concussion symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and difficulty concentrating.
2. C01 Plum Tint
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The C01 Plum tint is often used for managing neurological light sensitivity. It works by reducing excessive stimulation to the visual system, helping individuals recover from light-triggered discomfort.
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This tint has been reported to help regulate the brain’s response to visual input, making it useful for concussion patients who experience screen sensitivity, fluorescent light intolerance, and eye strain.
Clinical Evidence and References
Research has demonstrated that tinted lenses can significantly improve visual comfort and reduce symptoms in individuals with post-traumatic brain injury.
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Bansal & Green (2022) reviewed the application of colored filters in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and found that specific tints can mitigate photophobia and enhance visual processing, improving overall quality of life.
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Jackowski et al. (1996) investigated the effects of light-filtering lenses on contrast sensitivity and reading rate in TBI patients. Their study showed that tinted lenses improved contrast perception and reading efficiency, reducing visual stress.
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Stern (2011) examined the relationship between photophobia and acquired brain injury, concluding that specific wavelengths, particularly in the blue-green spectrum, are problematic for TBI patients. The study supported the use of colored filters to alleviate discomfort and optimize visual function.
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Wilkins et al. (2002) and Good et al. (2020) further highlighted the role of precision-tinted lenses in reducing photophobia and headaches in neurological patients.
