Why Bright Store Lighting Can Be So Difficult for People With Migraines
Written by Char Scheuermann, Irlen Diagnostician
Char first learned about Irlen syndrome when her niece was diagnosed in 2015. Irlen syndrome runs in her family, and two other nieces and a nephew were also diagnosed. Her second child, Daniel, was diagnosed in 2021, and her oldest, Anton, in 2022. That’s when she decided to train as an Irlen screener and later as a diagnostician.
A quick trip to the grocery store can be unexpectedly difficult for someone who experiences migraines or light sensitivity. Bright overhead lights, glare from shiny surfaces, crowded shelves, and constantly shifting visual patterns may add to discomfort. Some people describe eyestrain, trouble concentrating, or a sense of overwhelm. Others notice that their headache is already beginning.
Light sensitivity, also called photophobia, is common among people with migraine. Yet the relationship between light and migraine is not always straightforward. Light may contribute to discomfort or an attack for some people. For others, sensitivity to light may be an early sign that an attack is developing. Irlen syndrome may also be worth learning about when light and visually demanding environments cause ongoing discomfort.
It may be more than brightness
When someone says, “The lights bother me,” the experience may involve several things. Brightness is one possibility, but glare, flicker, contrast, and visually busy surroundings may also contribute. A grocery store combines many of these elements, including overhead lighting, reflective floors, colorful packaging, signs, movement, and long aisles.
Research has found associations between migraine symptoms and visual experiences such as glare, flicker, and eye strain. This does not mean that every person with migraine will be affected by the same environment or that a specific kind of store lighting causes migraine. It does show why it can be useful to notice which settings feel difficult and what is happening at the time.[1]
Is light a trigger or is light sensitivity an early symptom?
People often identify bright or flickering light as a migraine trigger. But research suggests that light sensitivity can also occur in the early phase of an attack. In one study of people with migraine, reports of light as a trigger overlapped with reports of photophobia during the premonitory phase, the period before the headache begins.[2]
This does not mean someone’s experience is mistaken. It means the sequence can be hard to interpret. A person may enter a bright store, notice discomfort, and develop a headache later. The light could have contributed, the sensitivity could have been an early symptom, or more than one factor could have been involved.
Where Irlen syndrome may fit
Irlen syndrome is associated with difficulties processing certain visual information. People may report light sensitivity, visual discomfort, or difficulty with patterns and visually demanding tasks. These experiences can affect reading, computer use, and time spent in bright or visually busy places.
Irlen syndrome does not explain every migraine, and the two are not interchangeable. But when someone experiences ongoing visual discomfort in addition to migraine symptoms, it may be helpful to explore whether visual processing plays a role.
In my work as an Irlen diagnostician, I hear from people who find bright lighting and visually busy environments difficult. Individualized Irlen Spectral Filters are selected during diagnostic testing. Some clients report that their filters reduce visual discomfort and make activities such as shopping feel calmer and more comfortable.
Look for patterns without blaming yourself
A brief symptom record can help make patterns easier to discuss with a healthcare professional. After a difficult outing, write down the following details.
What kind of lighting or visual environment you were in
Whether light sensitivity began before, during, or after other migraine symptoms
How long the discomfort lasted
Whether sleep, stress, meals, or other circumstances were different that day
A record cannot prove that one exposure caused an attack. It can offer useful detail over time and help you describe your experience more clearly.
You can also consider practical adjustments. When possible, choose a quieter time to shop, take breaks, or use curbside pickup during a difficult period. If you’d like to learn more about Irlen syndrome or find out whether individually prescribed Irlen Spectral Filters may be appropriate for your visual symptoms, contact me to learn about the assessment process.
Keep the whole picture in view
Persistent or changing light sensitivity deserves attention, especially when it interferes with daily activities. A healthcare professional can help assess migraine symptoms and consider other possible contributors to visual discomfort. An eye exam may also be appropriate, depending on the symptoms.
An Irlen assessment is one option to explore when a person’s symptoms and history make it relevant. It does not replace medical care for migraine. The goal is to understand what may be contributing to a person’s discomfort and identify appropriate support.
A small observation can be a useful starting point
If the lighting in a grocery store feels overwhelming, you do not have to dismiss the experience or decide on your own what it means. Notice when the discomfort occurs, record the pattern, and bring those observations to a qualified professional. If visual stress seems to be part of the picture, learning about Irlen syndrome and Irlen Spectral Filters can be another step toward making everyday activities feel more manageable.
Read more from Char Scheuermann
Char Scheuermann, Irlen Diagnostician
Char Scheuermann is an independent Irlen diagnostician serving clients throughout the northeastern United States. Drawing on both professional expertise and personal experience, she is passionate about raising awareness of Irlen syndrome and helping individuals find answers to challenges that are often overlooked or misunderstood. As an educator and advocate, Char is committed to making Irlen services accessible and convenient by offering screenings, diagnostic testing, and filter checks in clients’ homes. Her mission is to deliver exceptional care, personalized support, and solutions that improve comfort, confidence, and quality of life for those affected by Irlen syndrome.
References:
[1] Hayne, D. P., & Martin, P. R. (2019). “Relating Photophobia, Visual Aura, and Visual Triggers of Headache and Migraine.” Headache. PubMed
[2] Schulte, L. H., Jürgens, T. P., & May, A. (2015). “Photo-, osmo-, and phonophobia in the premonitory phase of migraine: mistaking symptoms for triggers?” The Journal of Headache and Pain. PubMed
