| Optometric Solutions - Coloured Lenses and Dyslexia |
Many sufferers of dyslexia, migraine and photosensitive epilepsy are affected by striped patterns including striped lines of text. There is evidence to suggest that for many of these people, specific coloured lenses can relieve the symptoms of perceptual distortion, eye strain and headaches in dyslexia and in certain patients, may significantly reduce the incidence of migraine and photosensitive epilepsy.
The colour can be provided by precision tinted lenses. We are pleased to offer testing with the Intuitive Colorimeter, developed by vision scientist, Arnold Wilkins, under the auspices of the Medical Research Council. Specially prescribed tinted lenses can then be provided and made up with any appropriate prescription lenses that may be required. This includes bifocal and progressive lenses.
For those suffering from dyslexia, it is common to use a special series of plastic overlays, to determine the effect of the colour on reading performance. This enables us to see if significant improvements in speed of reading can be made by the use of colour. The special testing using the Intuitive Colorimeter can be used where improvements are found. Thereby reducing costs of inappropriately using coloured lenses which are ineffective.
Dyslexia and Children
The children most likely to benefit from coloured lenses will often show the following symptoms.
 Headaches during or after reading
 Rubbing eyes
Watering or red eyes
A marked dislike of bright light (photophobia)
A tendency to constantly shift or alter position of text whilst reading
Complains of fatigue after a short period close work
Complains of fatigue after short periods of close work (one or two pages)
Print appears to be blurred, moving, flickering or fading. Appearance of patterns in the print colours appearing around print and doubling of letters or words
Care needs to be taken in assessing these symptoms since many are associated with problems of focusing (accommodation) and with binocular vision or other vision perception problems. For this reason a full examination is recommended by an optometrist skilled both in behavioural vision assessments and in dealing with children’s vision problems.
Dyslexia and Adults
Many adults suffer from exactly the same problems as children. Indeed children with unsolved problems become adults with a problem. Precision Tinted lenses and Vision Therapy are effective for both children and adults. Click here for more information on Vision Therapy.
Migraine and Photosensitive Epilepsy
There is increasing evidence that the use of precision Tints for those with some types of migraine and photosensitive epilepsy can be of real help in reducing or alleviating their symptoms. We have helped many such people and are always happy to discuss the technique with sufferers.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Many patients have also found considerable benefit following accidents and strokes that leave them unable to concentrate on close work for long. It should be acknowledged that there are many complications in these cases and that this method is unlikely to help everyone. Nevertheless, we are happy to discuss details of individual difficulties and advise if this approach may be of help. |
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