Coloured Overlays & Intuitive Colorimetry

At Lunettes Opticians Grantham we offer an examination to investigate the symptoms and relief of Visual Stress in children and adults.

Visual stress may result in vision related Specific Learning Difficulties and photosensitive problems (known as Scotopic Sensitivity). These conditions can be responsible for distortions on the printed page as an individual is trying to read, especially when black print contrasts sharply with a bright white background.

Classic symptoms can be:

  • Words moving around the page.
  • Words are blurred.
  • The page feels very bright and words are not seen properly.
  • Reading hurts.

Visual stress can also be a major part of the problem in poor readers including those considered to be dyslexic.  If the visual disturbance is identified and dealt with, any remaining difficulties become easier to deal with.

The assessment uses the Wilkins Rate of Reading test, Specific Coloured Overlays and the Intuitive Colorimeter.

                                                                                                                                        

  • The first step is a full eye examination. If an eye examination has been carried out within the last 12 months a copy of this will be required.
  • If it is felt appropriate to investigate for visual stress the next assessment will be Rate of Reading and the effect of Coloured Overlays when placed over a page of text. This can often lead to an improvement in reading rate, accuracy and comfort. If improvements are found with Specific Overlay the patient will be asked to use it over the next few weeks.
  • A review will be carried out after a specific length of time and if improvements are noted and sustained then a further test using the Intuitive Colorimeter may be carried out, where the optimal colour may be identified and then incorporated as coloured lenses in glasses. Coloured lenses are often more useful for computer use and long distance tasks.

Many children and adults experience considerable improvement in reading using Overlays and/or Coloured lenses, early diagnosis of the problem is essential.

Frustration and low self-esteem can occur in children who are under-acheiving due to visual stress. It is our wish to help as many individuals as possible to overcome their reading difficulties and to move on with their lives.

This service is currently available in our Grantham practice, for further information please contact either practice where our staff will be more than happy to help.