
Photo provided by Avulux, Adobe Stock image.
Avulux lenses for migraine relief
Sponsored Content
By Julie Helmus, OD
Jan. 29, 2025
As an optometrist, I am always on the lookout for innovative tools to offer my patients.
In early 2023, I learned about Avulux, a precision lens designed specifically for patients living with migraine and light sensitivity.
For years I’ve felt ill-equipped to help these patients. “I wear my sunglasses indoors,” we’ve all heard. But make no mistake, a massive market exists. Almost 50 million patients in the U.S. alone suffer from migraines, and they want and need help to manage the impact of light.
As a private practice owner, the barrier to entry was minimal; no equipment investment, minimum purchase requirement, or ongoing financial commitment. After buying the Avulux onboarding package for less than $1,000 (which includes demo pairs, literature and point-of-purchase materials, staff training, ongoing account management, and more), I was able to start prescribing Avulux right away.
Integrating Avulux
My practice was among the first in the U.S. to prescribe Avulux, and I was excited to share this innovation with my team, patients and community of healthcare providers. Several members of my staff and I ordered our own Avulux lenses right away. We also purchased three large fit-overs so that patients could try Avulux in-office.
After speaking with my optical lab, setting prices, and a 45-minute staff training, we were prescribing with enthusiasm. Some patients appreciate doing their own research before purchasing, so we also placed the colorful Avulux brochures in each of our six exam lanes.
My medical assistants ask every patient if they experience migraine headaches or light sensitivity; this question was added to our medical record template. Once identified, the medical assistant hands the patient a one-page laminated questionnaire developed by Avulux and provided in the on-boarding package.
At the conclusion of my exam, I glance at the questionnaire, and based on the patient’s symptoms and frequency of headaches, determine if they are a candidate and whether they should wear their Avulux part-time or full-time.
Once a patient has been identified, we have them put on the Avulux fit-over to test the lenses. We will often take them to our brightly lit frame gallery and ask for their feedback. The soothing effect is immediate, even if they aren’t in the midst of a migraine attack, and I can see the relief on their faces.
Confidence in Prescribing
My associate optometrists and I are able to prescribe Avulux with confidence. If the patient is hesitant, we offer a 90-day satisfaction guarantee, which Avulux has standardized across all Avulux authorized lab providers. This satisfaction guarantee has helped our opticians and patients embrace the new technology—and our return rate is in the very low single digits.
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Understanding the Impact of Migraine
Thirty percent of women and one-in-six Americans deal with migraine headaches during the course of their lives. Migraine disorder is a chronic condition that affects three times more women than men, often during peak professional and parenting years.
This complex neurological problem leads to a loss of productivity and enjoyment. It’s a silent struggle that many endure, retreating into dark rooms to mitigate the pain. And it has a real impact on patients, physically, socially and economically:
- 24 percent of migraine sufferers reported headaches so severe that they have sought emergency room care.
- 77 percent of migraine sufferers agree they are unable to interact with their children/family as much as they would like due to their migraines.
- 55 percent of migraine sufferers say that migraine has impacted their career goals.
Unlike other conditions like myopia or presbyopia, “migraine” is a familiar term. Most of us know someone who deals with migraine headaches. I believe every practice should be screening for migraines and light sensitivity, and offering a solution like Avulux.
Children must also be screened for migraine headaches. Unfortunately, they are often told they will grow out of it—a misconception that needs to be addressed.
A New Approach to Treatment
Historically, I haven’t had much to offer migraine patients other than sympathy. I would mention FL-41 lenses, but the pink tint often put them off, and I knew they weren’t very effective.
Avulux, however, is the first lens specifically designed for migraines and light sensitivity. I tell my patients, “My goal with these lenses is to help you get through your days more comfortably, and return to your planned activities.”
Many of our patients are under the care neurologists, and often receive prescriptions for pharmaceuticals that come with side effects and varying or waning effectiveness. With Avulux, I can offer a one-time-fee solution with no side effects. It’s safe, and patients can adopt it without incurring ongoing costs.
Most patients wear their “migraine glasses” when they feel a migraine coming on or when they’re in triggering environments, like fluorescent lighting or big-box stores. Some even use them as computer glasses.
But the results speak for themselves. Ninety-six percent of Avulux wearers experience decreased sensitivity to light during and between migraine attacks. Ninety-four percent of Avulux wearers said that Avulux brings a soothing sensation to their eyes during a migraine attack.
And, perhaps most importantly, 93 percent of Avulux wearers expressed that they were able to engage more fully in daily activities like work, hobbies and time with family/friends. You can give your patients something priceless: the gift of time!
Financial Impact on Practice
From a business perspective, Avulux has significantly increased our multiple-pair sales. It is a great option for a second pair. I also appreciate being able to prescribe it as a magnetic clip-on with Chemistrie Avulux.
In the past two years, my average revenue per patient has been $542, but for patients who purchase Avulux, it’s over $940. This is without requiring multiple visits.
If your clinic is busy and has a wait list, Avulux can fit easily into your practice. It adds minimal time to my appointments—about 45 seconds—allowing me to address the elements of a comprehensive exam plus migraine glasses in one visit.
Since Avulux is not currently covered by vision insurance, it stands to be more profitable. Patients can use their vision membership savings plans for frames and clear lenses while paying out-of-pocket for the Avulux clip-on, or for a second pair of Avulux lenses in their prescription. Plano Avulux lenses are also a great option for contact lens wearers.
To generate excitement, for a three-month period we offered a free (budget) frame with the purchase of Avulux lenses. Patients love getting something for free. This limited-time only offer also created a sense of urgency, and helped my opticians close the sale.
Referral Source
By engaging patients in a conversation about their migraine headaches, we not only differentiate our practice, we also demonstrate a curiosity for the patient’s well-being. Migraine disorder often coincides with other health problems, including depression, anxiety and obesity.
By offering an effective tool for their migraine headaches, we further cultivate trust, loyalty and referrals. Word-of-mouth surrounding our “migraine glasses” has led to more referrals than any other specialty service, even more than our dry eye and aesthetic treatments.
A Transformational Sub-Specialty
We are already helping our patients with binocular vision issues that often impact their day-to-day function. Now with a tool to help patients with migraine, we are equipped to become more of a hub for patients living with headaches. Could a “Headache Clinic” be the optometrist’s next sub-specialty?
Reclaiming Life from Migraines
Migraine headaches cause people to miss out on work and life events, often relegating them to dark rooms. There’s no cure for migraines, but our goal is to give patients back their time.
Patients tell me with their Avulux glasses, they can look at their computer or phone, and they can once again shop in bright big-box stores. When they have a migraine, they often can continue to function with Avulux.
One patient shared: “I know technically I don’t need to use them every day, but there is not a day that I have not used them since first getting them. I wanted something that could potentially help with the day-in-and-day-out of my job. [Works under fluorescent lighting and on computer screens]. They bring me so much relief.”
Another patient told me: “I use them at night for looking at the TV and my phone. They have made a difference. Before, I would be reading my phone and get that nauseated feeling, and that doesn’t happen now. I wore them to Bel Air last night, I was able to shop for 40 minutes…in the past if I’m in [the supermarket] I immediately have to use the bathroom. But that didn’t happen last night. It feels like they give my eyes a vacation, I can tell my eyes are resting.”
These lenses can be used alongside migraine medication. Patients can take their prescribed medicine and wear Avulux lenses to block out offensive wavelengths of light.
I educate my patients about this option, explaining that Avulux is clinically designed for those living with migraines and light sensitivity. Off-label, it may even help improve conditions like visual snow, insomnia and vestibular issues.
Seize this Opportunity
After two years of prescribing these lenses, I can say that they work for patients. Avulux provides a statistically significant, evidence-based option for migraine relief. Patients value their Avulux lenses.
I encourage all optometrists to embrace this opportunity to make a meaningful difference in our patients’ lives.
Julie Helmus, OD, is a second-generation optometrist and owner of Helmus Optometry in Davis, Calif. To contact her: dr.julie.helmus@helmusoptometry.com
