Headaches caused by LED lamps: how to do?

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can cause headaches or trigger migraines in some people, especially those with an increased sensitivity to light. Some research suggests that green LEDs can help relieve migraine symptoms and headaches. Exposure to LEDs is common in everyday life, including from computer and television screens, smartphones, and vehicle headlights. This article examines the potential risks and benefits of LEDs for headaches and migraine, headache prevention tips, and when to contact a doctor.

LEDs and headaches or migraine

LEDs can cause headaches and migraines in some people. They can create a flickering effect that can trigger headaches or migraines. Dimming the LEDs can increase this flickering effect. The flicker of LEDs can be more prominent than that of other light sources. Although the flicker is not noticeable to the human eye, it can cause side effects including headaches and migraines.

Liquid crystal displays (LCDs), which may use LEDs for backlighting, flicker 60 times per second. In some people, especially those who are photosensitive, this flickering can cause headaches and eyestrain. Photophobia, which is an increased sensitivity to light, is a common symptom of migraine. In some people, light-emitting diodes from computer and television screens can trigger a migraine attack.

Does the color of the light matter?

LEDs can be amber, red, green or blue. The color people see is not the actual color of light. The “white” light we see in LEDs is usually a combination of colors. The color of LEDs can make a difference in how they affect headaches and migraines. A 2016 study suggests that certain LED colors can cause headaches due to their effect on the retina and light-sensitive nerve cells in the brain. Blue light is usually the most painful for people.

According to a 2016 study, white, blue, amber, and red light aggravate migraines significantly more than green light. The study authors say that blue light and red light are perhaps the most sensitive in migraine sufferers. The results of a small-scale study conducted in 2021 suggest that green light may help improve migraine. The study involved 29 people with episodic or chronic migraine. Researchers exposed participants to white and green LEDs for 1-2 hours daily for 10 weeks and compared the results. They found that exposure to green LEDs significantly decreased the number of headache days, improved quality of life, and reduced the intensity and duration of headache attacks, with no reported side effects.

Common LED Lighting Symptoms

Symptoms that one may experience after exposure to LEDs are as follows

headache
migraine
eyestrain
blurred vision
annoyance due to glare from bright lights in a dark environment, such as when driving at night
fatigue
photosensitivity in people with epilepsy

Are there people particularly at risk?

Photophobia can make people more likely to have an increased sensitivity to light-emitting diodes. Bright artificial light and changes in light levels can also make pain worse in migraine sufferers.

Migraine is a common cause of photophobia. Other causes include:

dry eye
blepharospasm, which causes chronic spasms and muscle twitching around the eyes
pituitary tumors
meningitis

Prevent migraine caused by light emitting diodes

If LEDs trigger migraines, the following tips may help:

wearing tinted glasses, especially those with an FL-41 tint
wear glasses that block blue light or have red lenses
exposure to green light
wear sunglasses when in direct sunlight
talk to a doctor about medications, such as triptans or nonsteroidal medications
taking migraine preventative treatment to reduce photophobia
get enough sleep
treat mental conditions, such as depression or anxiety, which can make light sensitivity worse
try to work near sources of natural light, such as a window
avoid flickering lights or glare

It is important not to stay in dark environments on a regular basis to try to avoid symptoms, as this can increase sensitivity to light.

migraine treatment

Treating migraine can help reduce photophobia and the effects of light emitting diodes. Immediate migraine treatment may include:

rest with your eyes closed in a dark, quiet room
place a cold compress on the forehead
drink plenty of fluids
taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen
take medicine to relieve nausea.

When to contact a doctor

It is possible to attenuate the annoyance caused by the LEDs by

treating or preventing dry eyes, which can increase sensitivity to light, using artificial tears
reduce the use of LED-lit devices, such as computer monitors, smartphones, and TV screens
wearing glasses that block blue light or using filters on light fixtures
enable filters to block blue light on devices
avoid using bright screens in a dark environment
wear night driving goggles to reduce glare from headlights.

If symptoms do not improve or if exposure to LED lighting causes frequent headaches or triggers migraines, it is advisable to seek medical attention.

Résumé

Blue, red, white or amber LEDs can cause headaches or trigger migraines in some people. People with photophobia can be particularly sensitive.
Green LED light is perhaps the only color that does not cause or aggravate headaches. It may even help reduce the symptoms of migraines and headaches. Using filters to block blue light, exposure to green light, and taking migraine preventative measures can help reduce LED headaches. If SLE continues to cause headaches or migraines, affected individuals can contact a doctor to discuss a treatment plan.