VISUAL STRESS CLINIC
Your Eyesight is Important to us
Do you or your child struggle with reading? Do you find it uncomfortable, tiring and unpleasant?
WHAT IS VISUAL STRESS?
Visual Stress, also known as Meares-Irlen Syndrome or Scotopic Sensitivity syndrome is a perceptual processing disorder meaning it is a problem with the brain’s ability to process visual information. Simply explained, Visual Stress is sensitivity to visual patterns which cause difficulty with reading.
The symptoms can occur despite normal vision and most commonly arise when someone with the condition is trying to read paragraphs of black text on a white background.
Visual Stress is estimated to be present in approximately 40% of poor readers and 20% of the general population.
VISUAL STRESS SYMPTOMS
Symptoms occur despite normal vision and may include:
- Jumbled up words
- Missing words
- Words moving around page
- Words too close together or far apart
- Rapid tiring and/or poor concentration whilst reading
- Letters changing shape or size
- Letters fading or becoming darker
- Headaches or eyestrain
Signs to look out for:
- Moving closer to or away from the page
- Using a finger as a marker
- Becoming restless
- Skipping words and lines
- Rubbing eyes and blinking excessively
- Low self esteem
Dyslexia
Visual Stress is NOT dyslexia, but there is a much greater likelihood of those with dyslexia to also suffer from Visual Stress. By treating visual stress, some of the difficulties caused by dyslexia may be alleviated.
Migraine
Migraine is often associated with a sensitivity to glare which may occur in response to bright lights and bold geometric patterns, particularly those of stripes. This sensitivity is associated with a strong response in the visual cortex of the brain and can be reduced by visual stress treatment.
Visual Stress Tests and Treatments
How colour helps
In many cases, the symptoms of Visual Stress can be treated by changing the colour of your reading background either by using a coloured overlay or glasses with colour tinted lenses.
Visual Stress is due to hyper excitability of neurones in the Visual Cortex (the brain). This means that some of the cells in the visual pathways which deal with processing optical information work too fast and do not respond in the way they should.
Using colour will selectively reduce the input of certain wavelengths of light and allow the brain to process the visual information more easily.
At Faith Donaldson Optometrists we follow a 3 stage protocol to best assess for visual stress.
1. Full Eye Examination
It is essential that every individual who struggles to read or believes they may suffer from symptoms of Visual Stress, first undergoes a full eye examination. It is important to rule out or treat other vision problems before testing for Visual Stress. This test is available free of charge for all school aged children and students, under NHS provision.
2. Overlay Assessment
If ocular problems are not the cause of symptoms, an overlay assessment is recommended, especially in younger children. A variety of coloured overlays are shown to the patient to identify the colour which reduces symptoms. A Wilkins Rate of Reading Test can then be used to assess if the chosen overlay improves the reading ability. If there is an improvement the optometrist may prescribe the chosen overlay for a trial period.
3. Colourimetry Assessment Image
Whilst coloured overlays are useful when reading from a book, precision tinted lenses in glasses are more helpful when copying from the board or for computer work. Coloured overlays are also limited in the range of colour which is available. If using the overlay significantly improves symptoms, the Optometrist may recommend an Intuitive Colourimetry Assessment.
The Intuitive Colourimeter will help the Optometrist to prescribe a precise, tinted lens. Thousand of colour combinations are available and during the examination the Optometrist will find the exact hue (colour) and saturation (darkness of colour) that will best relieve your symptoms.
The colour will be specific to each individual, much more precise than an overlay. This precise colour is then transposed into tinted glasses.
If you require any further information about Visual Stress or you would like to book an assessment please contact us.
Patient Review
Faith took my very frightened 7 year old under her magical spell over a year ago . His visual stress ranged from patterns on clothes to shop sign words moving . She led him through the testing process with such gentleness that he always looked forward to his next visits . Nowadays he is a happy inquisitive reader with growing confidence in his own abilities . He embraced his learning differences with great ease thanks to Faith . Her genuine dedication to his progress will stay with me as my parenting journey continues . I class my son as very fortunate to have found her to help him have ‘Faith ‘
– A grateful ‘Mourne’ Mammy
Book your appointment at Faith Donaldson Optometrists today
Book your appointment at Faith Donaldson Optometrists today
Faith Donaldson Optometrists have a well-earned reputation for quality eyewear and clinical excellence
CONTACT
028 4176 9393
info@faithdonaldson.com
23 Greencastle Street, Kilkeel, Co Down, BT34 4BH
OPENING TIMES
Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm
Wednesday: 9am - 8pm
Saturday: 9am - 1pm