Migraine Center

MIGRAINES ARE MISERY

• Migraines are one of the leading causes of disability worldwide

• There is no cure for migraines, but there are methods to manage symptoms
  
  

MIGRAINE PREVALENCE

• Migraines affects over 1 Billion people worldwide (14.7%)

• Migraines affects over 47 million people in the United States

• Migraines affect 1 in 5 people during their peak employment years (ages 18-55)

• Migraines affect 1 in 3 women
  
  

MIGRAINE SYMPTOMS

• Light Sensitivity (#1 most bothersome symptom)

• Debilitating Headaches

• Nausea and Vomiting

• Sound and Smell Sensitivity

• Brain Fog and Dizziness
  
  

IMPACT OF LIVING WITH MIGRAINES

• 24% of people living with migraine disease report headaches so severe that they have sought emergency room care.

• 51% of people living with migraine disease report a 50% or more reduction in work and/or school productivity

• 66% of people living with migraine report a 50% or more reduction in household work productivity.
  
  

THE NEED FOR A LIGHT SENSITIVITY SOLUTION

• 90% of people with migraine experience photophobia during a migraine attack.

• 40% of people with migraine experience photophobia between attacks.

• 30-60% of migraine attacks are triggered by light or glare.
  
  

INTRODUCING: THE AVULUX LENS

• The Avulux lens is a brand-new (2022) clinically proven technology that helps 90% of people with migraines by effectively filtering light

• White, blue, amber, and red light increased headache pain intensity; Avulux filters up to 97% of harmful blue, amber and red light.

• Low intensity Green light decreased headache pain intensity; Avulux allows in soothing green light

• The Avulux lens is multi-band precision optical filter that may, as part of a healthy lifestyle, help people living with migraine.
  
  

AVULUX BENEFITS:

• No side effects

• No recurring costs: one pair of Avulux glasses is enough to get you through your day

• Multi-Use Lenses: Avulux glasses can be worn either indoors and outdoors without causing chronic dark adaptation

• Complementary: Avulux glasses are a safe complement to any migraine medication or medical device

• Does Not Distort Color Perception: Avulux lenses do not distort color perception, so you can find relief comfortably without affecting your quality of life
  
  

AVULUX USER GUIDE

• Avulux lenses can be fit into an eyeglass frame of your choice and are available in your prescription or non-prescription lenses

• Avulux plano lenses can be worn over contact lenses

• Avulux lenses are also available as fit-overs or clip-ons

• Wear Avulux glasses continuously if:

  • You suffer from chronic migraines, defined as 15 or more headache days per month with at least 8 days of migraine symptoms per month

  • You experience continuous light sensitivity, during and between migraine attacks
    
    

• Wear Avulux glasses part-time for specific activities, such as:

  • Screen time

  • During any trigger activities

  • Under harsh lighting

  • When experiencing light sensitivity

  • At the onset of a migraine attack or aura

NEXT STEPS:

• As of April 2023, Avulux lenses are only available in 12 offices within the US. Helmus Optometry is proud to lead the way in optical innovation!

• Come meet with one of Helmus Optometry’s Board-Certified Optician to be fit into Avulux lenses
  
  

SCIENCE BEHIND THE LENS

• Not surprisingly, sensitivity to light involves photoreceptors at the back of the eye.

• These photoreceptors include rods and cones which are more associated with light translating images but more importantly they include ipRGC cells that mediate all other aspects of light.

• One of these ipRGC cells which secretes a photopigment called melanopsin was found to play a roll in light sensitivity and migraine.

• These melanopsin secreting ipRGC cells mediate pain in people with migraine and they were found to have peak stimulation of pain at the 480nm of light. (upper blue light range)

• It was also discovered that there is an excitement of the melanopsin secreting ipRGC cells at the 590nm amber wavelength of light

• Research in 2010 linked melanopsin secreting intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) to pain in people with migraine.

EXISTING MIGRAINE TREATMENT OPTIONS

• Over-the counter mediations

• Hydration

• Prescription medication at migraine onset

• Stress management techniques

• Sleeping a certain number of hours per night

• Control of environment (light, noise, smell)

• Physical exercise

• Nutritional monitoring/avoidance of certain foods

• Massage therapy

• Prescription medication to prevent/lessen frequency

• Chiropractics

• Headache tracking/journal

• Physiotherapy

• Acupuncture

• Neuromodulation Devices: Cefaly, Nerivio, Gammacore

CONS OF PRESCRIPTION MIGRAINE MEDICATIONS:

• High cost

• Documentation of prior failed treatments often required to receive insurance coverage

• Patients can build a tolerance

• Limit to number of pills you can take each month

Avulux can be used as a safe complement to migraine medication; patients can be on migraine medication and still benefit from Avulux
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