Many children and adults suffer from visual discomfort when reading. This can affect reading fluency, concentration and comprehension and can cause rapid fatigue. We would describe these symptoms as 'Visual Stress' or 'Meares-Irlen Syndrome.'
How can we
For over 20 years now, we have
known that using colour can help relieve symptoms of reading
difficulty and visual stress. Colour is used (either in the form of
a coloured overlay or tinted lenses) to change the appearance of
print to improve reading comfort and speed.
It is important to note that the
most effective coloured overlay may not be the same colour as the
optimal precision lenses.
Every child who displays problems
with reading should initially attend their optometrist for a full
eye examination. If glasses are required these can eventually
incorporate coloured lenses for visual stress if necessary.
Following the eye examination, your
optometrist may recommend an assessment with coloured overlays.
These sheets of thin, transparent plastic are placed over written
text to change the colour of the background to see if there are any
If overlays are beneficial, the
optometrist may suggest Colourimetry as the next stage. This may
result in the prescribing of glasses with coloured lenses.
Where can these tests be done?
Overlay assessments are available in all our practices. We
have 4 practices across Scotland with specialist colourimeters,
you can book a colourimetry assessment in the following
What would I
Common symptoms of visual stress
• Movement of printed text
• Blurring of print
• Letters changing size or shape
• Patterns in the print (sometimes described as rivers or
• Haloes of colour surrounding letters or words
• Tiring easily whilst reading
• Headaches or visual discomfort
• Red, sore or watery eyes
likely to suffer from Visual Stress?
Approximately 5% of the population
are severely affected by visual stress and 20% to a lesser degree.
Visual stress can affect anyone, at any age, but it is more common
in conditions including:-
• Photosensitive Migraine
• Photosensitive Epilepsy
Visual Stress is not the same as
dyslexia but is more common in those who are dyslexic. People who
fail to read because of visual stress are frequently misdiagnosed
as dyslexic. For this reason it is important that the existence of
visual stress is identified at an early stage.