Oct

14

No Flash Photography Please

Filed Under Migraines | Comments Off

Do you ever wish you could wear a sign on your head that reads “No bright lights please”?  I do.  Cameras and flash lights, headlights and fluorescent store signs are a constant pulse of pain for someone with light sensitivity.  For a long time I pretended that camera flashes and sitting under fluorescent bulbs was no big deal, while inside my head was pounding and my eyes were aching.

 

Now I do not hesitate to tell people politely, please turn off the flash on your camera or I am sorry I cannot sit here.  When my eyes are really bad I wear sunglasses, even inside and yes even at night.  This has resulted in some strange looks from others as well as a great shortage of pictures of me.  I often hear people scanning over photo albums say, weren’t you at this wedding?  Or did you go to the Museum WITH your kids or what?  It is  a small price to pay for a reduction of pain and stress caused by blaring and flashing lights attacking me.

 

It may seem annoying to go ahead and begin requesting that people stop using their flash or ask that a certain light be shut off, but with so little available to stop or control migraines and headache pain why hesitate to make the little changes that cna give you some relief?