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Striped patterns (i.e., gratings) with particular spatial frequencies (density of the stripes) are known to produce visual stress and discomfort, induce phantom visual distortions and somatic sensations in susceptible observers. These phenomena have been termed 'pattern-glare', are the result of increased visual stress, and are thought to reflect increased degrees of cortical hyperexcitability in the brain and be associated with visual distortions, hallucinations and aura. The idea is that the stripes over-stimulate pockets of neurons in the visual system - even more so if inhibitory neural processes are hampered in some way.
Pattern-glare effects have been shown to exist for Migraineurs with aura, Epileptics (photo-sensitive epilepsies), Anxiety / mood disorders, Dyslexics, Autistic spectrum disorders, Meares-Irlen syndrome, Sleep disorders, and some non-clinical hallucinating groups (out-of-body experiences). What is also interesting is that although cortical hyperexcitability may well show a general trend to be increased in these groups, its level can increase / decrease over time, like a wave function, depending on other internal and external stressors (poor sleep / anxiety / fever). The more increased it becomes, the worse it is for the individual and the likelihood of anomalous perceptions and possibly even seizure increases.
In our laboratory we are studying striped induced visual discomfort with non-clinical participants who show elevated signs of anomalous experiences. Effects of pattern-glare can be alleviated in some cases. For example, wearing tinted lenses can aid some groups. However, each person needs to have their visual system examined via what is known as an "intuitive colorimeter" in order to ascertain the maximally beneficial colour, saturation, hue of the tint. Tints do not work for everyone. Also the tints you may find helpful now, may not be helpful in about 5 years time. For reasons unknown, the type of tint most helpful can change over time.
If any of this is interesting to you, if you suffer from visual stress, pattern-glare, migraine, aura, or find bright light (sunlight / fluorescent lighting) or some patterns visually painful or irritating - then you may have visual stress which may require treatment. Note - there are sources of irritation in the natural environment that could trigger attacks or make current attacks worse. I would recommend the following. Avoid high-contrast environments (excessively bright lights / direct sunlight), avoiding being in spaces with uncomfortable visual patterns, have your computer monitor checked (it may be flickering just underneath the cusp of consciousness - this is still irritating your visual system), Flat screens may be more helpful, set the flicker rate to maximum. LED monitors set to low contrast. Avoid working under fluorescent lighting (it flickers and can be irritating / stressful to the visual system). Do you wear sunglasses all the time to help with your symptoms? If so, you may need to get coloured tints. Get your visual system examined by an opthalmologist for low-level ocular anomalies that can underlie many visual distortions. If all is OK, then get examined via intuitive colorimetry and see if you would benefit from a precision ophthalmic tint!
Pattern-glare effects have been shown to exist for Migraineurs with aura, Epileptics (photo-sensitive epilepsies), Anxiety / mood disorders, Dyslexics, Autistic spectrum disorders, Meares-Irlen syndrome, Sleep disorders, and some non-clinical hallucinating groups (out-of-body experiences). What is also interesting is that although cortical hyperexcitability may well show a general trend to be increased in these groups, its level can increase / decrease over time, like a wave function, depending on other internal and external stressors (poor sleep / anxiety / fever). The more increased it becomes, the worse it is for the individual and the likelihood of anomalous perceptions and possibly even seizure increases.
In our laboratory we are studying striped induced visual discomfort with non-clinical participants who show elevated signs of anomalous experiences. Effects of pattern-glare can be alleviated in some cases. For example, wearing tinted lenses can aid some groups. However, each person needs to have their visual system examined via what is known as an "intuitive colorimeter" in order to ascertain the maximally beneficial colour, saturation, hue of the tint. Tints do not work for everyone. Also the tints you may find helpful now, may not be helpful in about 5 years time. For reasons unknown, the type of tint most helpful can change over time.
If any of this is interesting to you, if you suffer from visual stress, pattern-glare, migraine, aura, or find bright light (sunlight / fluorescent lighting) or some patterns visually painful or irritating - then you may have visual stress which may require treatment. Note - there are sources of irritation in the natural environment that could trigger attacks or make current attacks worse. I would recommend the following. Avoid high-contrast environments (excessively bright lights / direct sunlight), avoiding being in spaces with uncomfortable visual patterns, have your computer monitor checked (it may be flickering just underneath the cusp of consciousness - this is still irritating your visual system), Flat screens may be more helpful, set the flicker rate to maximum. LED monitors set to low contrast. Avoid working under fluorescent lighting (it flickers and can be irritating / stressful to the visual system). Do you wear sunglasses all the time to help with your symptoms? If so, you may need to get coloured tints. Get your visual system examined by an opthalmologist for low-level ocular anomalies that can underlie many visual distortions. If all is OK, then get examined via intuitive colorimetry and see if you would benefit from a precision ophthalmic tint!
