Migraine Therapy

Migraine Care at DeSouza Optometry in North York

Migraines are a complex neurological condition that extend far beyond a typical headache. For many people, migraines are triggered or significantly worsened by light exposure, leading to debilitating symptoms that interfere with work, screen use, driving, and daily life.

At DeSouza Optometry, we provide Migraine Therapy using Avulux™ lenses, a specialized optical solution designed to address one of the most powerful and common migraine triggers: problematic wavelengths of light.

Understanding Migraines

Migraines involve abnormal sensory processing within the brain, particularly in pathways related to vision and pain perception. While head pain is the most recognized symptom, migraines frequently include visual and neurological components that can persist before, during, and after an attack.

Many migraine sufferers experience heightened sensitivity to light, sound, and visual motion. In some cases, light exposure alone is enough to trigger a migraine episode.

The Role of Light in Migraines

Light sensitivity, also known as photophobia, is one of the most common migraine symptoms and triggers. Certain lighting environments can overwhelm the visual system and activate migraine pathways in the brain.

Common migraine-triggering light sources include:

• Bright sunlight and glare

• LED and fluorescent lighting

• Computer monitors and digital screens

• High-contrast indoor environments

Modern lifestyles often involve prolonged exposure to artificial lighting, increasing neurological stress on the visual system for migraine sufferers.

Migraine Symptoms Commonly Affected by Light

Light exposure can worsen or provoke a wide range of migraine-related symptoms, including:

• Throbbing or pulsating head pain

• Eye strain or deep eye discomfort

• Visual aura or flashing lights

• Nausea and vomiting

• Dizziness or vertigo

• Difficulty concentrating

• Post-migraine fatigue or “brain fog”

Managing light exposure is therefore a critical component of migraine care.

What Are Avulux™ Lenses?

Avulux™ lenses are a clinically engineered lens technology created specifically for people who suffer from migraines and light sensitivity. Unlike sunglasses or general blue-light filters, Avulux lenses selectively filter only the wavelengths of light shown to activate migraine pathways.

They allow comfortable, functional light to pass through while blocking migraine-triggering wavelengths—without significantly darkening vision or distorting color perception.

How Avulux™ Lenses Help with Migraines

Avulux lenses address light as a root migraine trigger, not just a factor that worsens symptoms. They are designed to calm the visual system and reduce overstimulation of migraine-related neural pathways.

Avulux lenses help by:

• Blocking specific wavelengths known to activate migraine pain pathways

• Reducing stimulation of ipRGCs, which are directly linked to migraine-related brain centers

• Lowering visual stress in environments with LED lighting and screens

• Maintaining natural color perception, reducing visual processing strain

• Preserving contrast and clarity, supporting comfortable, sustained vision

By reducing continuous neurological input from problematic light, Avulux lenses may help decrease migraine frequency, severity, and light-related symptom escalation for many patients.

Avulux™ vs Traditional Tinted or Blue-Light Lenses

Many migraine sufferers have tried sunglasses, FL-41 lenses, or standard blue-light filters with limited success. While these options reduce brightness, they often block too much useful light or fail to target the specific wavelengths involved in migraine activation.

Avulux lenses differ because they:

• Selectively filter migraine-triggering wavelengths

• Avoid excessive dimming

• Maintain visual clarity indoors and outdoors

• Have a neutral, cosmetically acceptable appearance

This makes them suitable for all-day wear rather than occasional use.

Who Can Benefit from Avulux™ Migraine Therapy?

Avulux lenses may benefit individuals who experience:

• Chronic or episodic migraines

• Light-triggered headaches

• Photophobia (light sensitivity)

• Screen-related migraines

• Migraines with or without aura

They can be worn with or without prescription correction and are often used alongside medical migraine management plans.

Migraine Therapy at DeSouza Optometry

At DeSouza Optometry, migraine therapy begins with a focused consultation to understand your symptoms, triggers, and visual environment.

Your visit may include:

• Detailed migraine and symptom history

• Assessment of light sensitivity

• Comprehensive vision and ocular health evaluation

• Discussion of daily screen and lighting exposure

• Personalized lens recommendations

Our goal is to provide a practical, wearable solution that integrates seamlessly into your daily life.

A Non-Medicated Approach to Migraine Support

While medications remain an important part of migraine treatment for many patients, Avulux lenses offer a drug-free option that addresses light-triggered migraine pathways directly.

Many patients use Avulux lenses alongside medical care, lifestyle changes, and stress management strategies to improve overall migraine control.

Book a Migraine Consultation in North York

If migraines or light sensitivity are affecting your quality of life, book a Migraine Therapy Consultation with Avulux™ lenses at DeSouza Optometry in North York to explore a clinically supported approach to managing light-triggered migraines.