COLORIMETRY & VISUAL STRESS
Patients who find sustained reading challenging may be experiencing visual stress, a problem that arises from severe pattern glare from text. Visual stress is sometimes called Meares Irlen syndrome, Irlen Syndrome or Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome. Symptoms of visual stress can be reduced through the use of precisely tinted coloured lenses, making reading and learning much easier. The assessment process used to select the most appropriate tint is known as Intuitive Colorimetry.
The challenges experienced by patients struggling with visual stress can seem very similar to those of people with dyslexia. While dyslexia does not increase the likelihood of a patient also having visual stress, the combination of both conditions is likely to exacerbate difficulties with learning from visual material (SASC SpLD and Visual Difficulties report 2018).
EXPLORING THE USE OF COLOUR...
TO ALLEVIATE VISUAL STRESS.
Visual Stress symptoms may include perceptual distortion, eye strain and headaches, and may significantly increase the incidence of migraine and photosensitive epilepsy.
Patients most likely to benefit from coloured lenses will often show some of the following symptoms:
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Headaches during or after reading
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Rubbing eyes
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Watering or red eyes
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A marked dislike of bright light (photophobia)
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A tendency to constantly shift or alter position of text whilst reading
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Complaining of fatigue after a short period close work
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Print appearing to be blurred, moving, flickering or fading
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Appearance of patterns in the print colours appearing around print
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Doubling of letters or words
Care needs to be taken in assessing these symptoms, since many of them are associated with problems of focusing (accommodation) and with binocular vision or other vision perception problems. For this reason, our assessment process includes a full examination by an optometrist.
For more information about the specialist work we do with children's vision problems, click here.
HOW MIGHT COLOUR HELP?
At Paul Adler Optometrists we can apply precision tints to lenses on both prescription and non-prescription lenses. To determine which tint will have the most beneficial effect we measure reading fluency with tints. The best colour is determined using our Intuitive Colorimeter. The instrument was developed by Professor Arnold Wilkins under the auspices of the Medical Research Council. More information about the research behind colorimetry can be found here.
Tinted lenses are normally only considered once a sight test has been performed, and any other potential causes of visual difficulty have been addressed. Before prescribing precision-tinted lenses for patients, we usually recommend using a coloured plastic overlay when reading for a trial period. This enables us to establish whether a coloured tint will result in significant and sustained improved reading fluency and/or improved visual comfort before supplying a Precision Tinted Lens.
Assessment for the benefits of coloured filters and Precision Tinted Lenses are not available on the NHS.
PRESCISION COLOUR
ADULTS & VISUAL STRESS
Many adults suffer from exactly the same problems as children. Indeed children with unsolved problems become adults with unsolved problems. Precision-tinted lenses and vision therapy are effective for both children and adults.
Click here for more information on vision therapy.
RELATED USES
MIGRAINE & 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 patients and are always happy to discuss the technique if you think it might help you.
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
Many patients have also found precision-tinted lenses of considerable benefit following accidents or strokes that leave them unable to concentrate on close work. There can be many complications in these cases, and this method is unlikely to help everyone; however we are happy to discuss details of individual difficulties and advise if this approach may be of help.