Visual Stress, Dyslexia and Reading Difficulty

What is Visual Stress?
Visual Stress is a perceptual processing condition that causes reading difficulties, headaches and visual problems from exposure to patterns in text, such as lines of text. Visual Stress is linked to dyslexia and similar visual learning difficulties. Sufferers experience print distortion and fatigue when reading. Changing the background colour of text has been found to reduce or, in some cases, eliminate the symptoms of visual stress.

Assessment
We perform a number of tests to determine if the use of coloured overlays will reduce a patient’s symptoms. We first determine a Rate of Reading (words/minute) baseline for reading speed and accuracy by having the patient read a passage of text on the screen against a white background. Two colours are then presented and the patient is required to select the more comfortable colour. A computer then runs a sophisticated algorithm to compare different combinations of colours in order to determine the best overall colour. At the end of the tests, a Rate of Reading improvement of 10% is generally considered to be the threshold for prescribing coloured overlays or lenses.

Treatment
The condition can be managed by using coloured overlay sheets or coloured lenses based on the outcomes of the assessment. If a patient uses a PC, virtual overlay software can be used to tint their screen. There can be a profound improvement in reading speed, ability and attention of the child (or occasionally adult) if visual stress is confirmed and treated using coloured overlays.

Contact us to book a free Visual Stress assessment.