Screen light sensitivity during migraine: what helps, with sources

Updated 2026-11-02

Quick answerMost people with migraine are sensitive to light during attacks; Hoggan and colleagues note over 90% report photophobia. On screens, the options with some evidence are lowering brightness to match the room, green-leaning light, and less white area. None of these treat migraine; they may make screen use more comfortable.

What the research says

  • Over 90% of migraine sufferers report photophobia during an attack (cited in Hoggan et al., 2016).
  • In Noseda et al. (2016), narrow-band green light worsened headache less than white, blue, amber or red light.
  • In Fani et al. (2026), green-enriched white light caused the least discomfort during and between attacks, and lower intensity helped consistently.
  • Rose FL-41 tinted glasses reduced attack frequency in a small 1991 study of 20 children.

What you can do on a screen

  • Dim the screen relative to the room (see screen brightness).
  • Try a soft green tint at moderate strength (rose is an alternative).
  • Use dark mode where it feels better; evidence is mixed.

FAQ

Is photophobia common in migraine?

Yes. Over 90% of people with migraine report it during attacks, according to the sources cited by Hoggan et al. (2016).

Can an app cure light sensitivity?

No. Screen filters can only make the screen more comfortable; they don't treat migraine.

Sources

  • Hoggan RN et al. Thin-film optical notch filter spectacle coatings for the treatment of migraine and photophobia. J Clin Neurosci, 2016. Link
  • Noseda R, … Burstein R. Migraine photophobia originating in cone-driven retinal pathways. Brain, 2016. Link
  • Fani M, Sharp N, Schwedt TJ, et al. Reducing light sensitivity during and between migraine attacks: a prospective study investigating spectral tuning of white light. Cephalalgia 2026. Link
  • Good PA, Taylor RH, Mortimer MJ. The use of tinted glasses in childhood migraine. Headache, 1991. Link

Not a medical device and not medical advice. Migraine Mode is a screen-comfort tool: it does not diagnose, treat, cure or prevent migraine or any other condition, and it does not replace a doctor. Its settings are based on studies of light, colour, flicker, patterns and motion; the extension itself has not been clinically tested. When to see a doctor.