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Visual Stress Testing
Vision and Learning: Using Color to Relieve Visual Stress
Visual Stress refers to discomfort experienced while attempting to focus on text, whether written or printed, often leading to headaches and a reluctance to read.
Dyslexia or Visual Stress
It’s important to note that visual stress differs from dyslexia, and not all individuals with visual stress are dyslexic, just as not all dyslexics experience visual stress. However, there is a close association between the two. Children and adults with conditions such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, and autism can greatly benefit from addressing visual stress, as it can alleviate some of the difficulties they encounter when reading and deciphering text.
Visual stress can be linked to headaches and migraines, but its origins are more complex than simple eyestrain caused by extended close work or poor lighting. Research suggests that visual stress may stem from the brain’s response, or over-response, to specific forms of light and color.
Common Signs of Visual Stress
- Easily fatigued while reading
- Headaches/migraines or discomfort
- Using a finger as a guide while reading
- Feelings of frustration and low self-esteem
- Words appear to move on the page
- The page seems too bright, making it difficult to see the words properly.
Colored Overlay Tests
At Clearsight Opticians, we offer a straightforward test to diagnose visual stress, utilizing colored overlays to determine if text becomes clearer and easier to read with the application of color. These overlays are commonly used in educational settings and can significantly benefit dyslexic individuals, enhancing both reading speed and accuracy.
The overlays consist of durable, transparent plastic sheets available in 12 different colors, ensuring that each individual can find the optimal shade. During the assessment, each overlay is placed over the text for comparison, facilitated by our specialized vision professionals. Upon confirming the effectiveness of a colored overlay, Tinted Lenses may offer additional assistance. These lenses are customized to each individual, with a specific tint tailored to their unique needs.
What Should You Do?
If you suspect that you or someone you know may be experiencing undiagnosed visual stress, or if you have other vision concerns you’d like us to address, please click here to schedule an appointment or call us at 020 8905 0700. At Clearsight Opticians, we recognize visual stress as a condition that can lead to reading difficulties, eye strain, and headaches in both adults and children.
Visual stress is believed to stem from the hyperexcitability of neurons in the visual cortex, leading to inappropriate firing. Researchers suggest that these neurons are sensitive to color, and introducing a specific color in front of the eye alters the excitation pattern in the cortical network, reducing hyperexcitability and visual disturbances. This theory parallels the treatment approach for migraine sufferers, where colored overlays and lenses can mitigate the frequency and severity of migraines. These symptoms can occur when viewing printed text or screens. Research indicates that wearing an individually prescribed colored overlay as tinted lenses often alleviates visual stress symptoms, resulting in smoother, more comfortable reading experiences.
Visual stress test pricing:
The cost of a visual stress test £15 in addition to the routine eye test fee (£29.50). If you qualify for a free eye test under NHS regulations, the total test fee is £15. For further information, please contact us at [email protected] or 01908 504740
FAQs:
Is this test for dyslexia?
No. While visual stress often coexists with various learning difficulties, including dyslexia, this test is not designed to formally diagnose dyslexia.
My child has been provided with colored overlays by their school; is this the same?
Schools often provide colored overlays without formal testing, and children may select their favorite colors, resulting in minimal or no benefit. The visual stress test identifies the most effective color, if any, for the individual.
If a tint is recommended, should it be used as a sheet overlay or in glasses?
While both options are feasible, sheet overlays have limitations such as susceptibility to scratching, inability for use on screens, and ease of loss, especially among children. We find spectacles to be more effective.
What are the chances that this treatment will help me/my child?
Anecdotally, we observe significant improvement with colored lenses in approximately two-thirds of patients undergoing visual stress testing, while about a quarter experience no improvement. The optometrist will demonstrate the difference with and without a tint and provide all necessary information for an informed decision.