Car Window Film and Visible Light Transmission

If you have to have your vehicle fitted with window film due to light sensitivity, we have established from the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office that there are no dispensations due to medical grounds. The windscreen must allow at least 75% of light to be transmitted through and the front side windows 70% VLT otherwise you are committing an offence. Anywhere behind the driver’s seat (rear windows) can be as dark as you like! There is, however, a recognised difference between “light window tints” which may be considered safe for road use and “excessively dark window tints” which are not.

Temposhade original instant temporary blinds (6 pack)

Size 89cm x 180cm (200cm drop if flat). Fits any size window, can be trimmed or overlapped to suit the required width or drop.
The black blinds are opaque, blackout blinds (the white are translucent).
Made from sturdy pleated card, they are reusable and recyclable and last well.
Cordless – child and pet safe.
Fit without tools, remove without mark or residue.
Purchase online through Amazon:  London Blind Co.  Cost £3.99

SunSibility

SunSibility are specialists in UV Protection offering a huge range of UPF50+ Clothing and accessories along with window films, hats, umbrellas, sunglasses sun creams, car shades and swimwear.
SunSibility have worked with Lupus UK since 2000. Quote News & Views to receive 10% off your order.

Main Contact : Angeli Jackson
web: www.sunsibility.co.uk
email: email: [email protected]

Facekini face mask for Sun Protection

This simple, relatively unstructured headgear is made from a smooth nylon/lycra blend (SPF 50) and covers entire head and neck with holes for eyes, nostrils and mouth. A member bought a couple to protect herself during dental treatment. These could be equally useful for treatment for eyes and nose.

Facekinis are made in the USA but can be bought on-line for £7.64 plus postage which is minimal as they are very light. They can be pruchased on Etsy. These somewhat ghoulish-looking garments are all the rage in China where umpteen numbers of people can be seen sporting them on beaches and in the sunshine. It strikes me as quite ironic that in China, healthy people are wearing these masks without a qualm, while here light sensitive patients wearing medical masks are semi-criminalised. We really need to promote our plight as widely as possible.

Silver UV Protective Umbrellas

One-hand AutoRetract long or compact.
Rob McAlister Ltd
Tel: 015255 219794
web: www.umbrellaheaven.com

Being outside is good for both physical and mental health but when going outdoors it’s important to protect your skin from the sun (even on cloudy days).

ALTRUIST was initiated by Dr Andrew Birnie, a Consultant Dermatologist and skin cancer surgeon based in Canterbury. In partnership with some of the best formulation scientists in Europe ALTRUIST provides premium, affordable sunscreen through reducing profit margins and unnecessary marketing costs. This high-quality, ethical, environmentally friendly and affordable sunscreen range is available from Altruist direct www.altruistsun.com and other online sources including Amazon.

Non-Filter Methods

Depending on your degree and type of sensitivity, one, or any combination of the following may be worth trying:
• Dimming your device’s monitor/screen.
• Adjusting the colour, reducing the blue.
• Extending the keyboard and mouse cables, so as to be able to sit further away.
• Wearing light-proof masks and clothing and dark glasses.

These non-filter methods can be ideal for when watching TV (with a big enough screen). However, they may not work with computer screens because although you can increase the size of the font to be seen at a distance, you cannot necessarily increase the size of a toolbar or some online content.

As reflected light is better than direct light, and a large enough screen makes even computing from 5 metres quite possible, some use a projector to do all their computer work, watching of TV and films. You can get a portable stand-alone TV/DVD projection machine. However, these do need to be aimed centrally at the wall/screen (taking up a lot of space) and may not be suitable for computing. More expensive projectors can be ceiling-mounted and can be used for everything you would otherwise use a television or computer screen for but can cost a lot of money and tie you to one space for everything – certainly not as convenient as a tablet! If you wish to try this, contact a local computer dealer who also deals in projectors/multimedia.

Sony has brought out an e-ink tablet. We hope these will eventually be a marvellous computing device for the light sensitive. As yet however they are hugely expensive and only available in the USA and China.