Visual Stress
Do you, or your child, struggle with reading and concentration? Do you feel fatigued when concentrating? Do you often miss words or lose your place when reading?
These experiences may be caused by what is sometimes described as Visual Stress.
While research studies are ongoing, the term Visual Stress is used to refer to difficulties processing information which may relate to sensitivity to certain light wavelengths.
Other symptoms can include headaches, feeling fatigued when reading, and difficulties with comprehension.
If you might be suffering with this kind of visual strain, you should consult an optician, even if you have normal vision. We may be able to relieve your experience, improving performance at school, college or in the workplace.
Symptoms
• Movement of print
• Blurring of print
• Letters changing shape or size
• Letters fading or becoming darker
• Patterns appearing, sometimes described as “worms” or “rivers” running through print
• Illusions of colour, such as blobs of colour on the page or colours surrounding letters or words
• Fatigue or loss of concentration when reading
• Headaches or eyestrain
Signs
• Moving closer to or away from page
• Becoming restless whilst reading
• Using a finger as a marker
• Accidentally skipping words and lines
• Rubbing eyes and blinking excessively
• Low confidence or reluctance to read
‘Research indicates that a small proportion of the population (around 5% severely, up to 20% to a lesser degree) may experience symptoms associated with visual stress.’
Symptoms of visual stress are not always immediately obvious. Many individuals who suffer with this condition believe the discomfort they feel when reading or the distortions they experience on the page are “normal” and experienced by everyone. That is until someone presents them with an appropriate colour and they realise that reading can become more comfortable and even enjoyable. The simple application of an overlay at an early stage could save years of anxiety and prevent the downward slide in confidence which can occur in cases where children struggle to read.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a term used to describe various specific learning difficulties that affect the ability to learn to read and spell correctly. Visual Stress is NOT Dyslexia but can co-occur with Dyslexic individuals. If Visual Stress is identified and colour is used to alleviative some of the symptoms then other learning difficulties, such as Dyslexia, may be easier to cope with. People with Dyslexia may also suffer with visual stress and can therefore be helped by colour. Equally there are a large percentage of children and indeed adults who are not identified as being Dyslexic but still suffer with these symptoms. The appropriate coloured overlay or Precision Tinted Lenses can also help this group of individuals.
Migraine
Migraine has different triggers in different people. For some, visual sensitivity can be a trigger. So, for example, they find flicker from artificial lighting or glare from strong visual patterns (e.g. ironing a stripy shirt) trigger a migraine. In these patients a Visual Stress and colorimetry assessment could lead to a reduction in migraines.
How do coloured lenses for migraine sufferers work?
Research using fMRI brain scanners showed excessive brain activity in migraine sufferers looking at intense visual patterns. When the same patterns were viewed through prescribed precision tinted lenses, this brain activity was reduced. This explains the reduction in symptoms for patients who suffer from visually sensitive migraine.
Forbes Eyecare specialises in diagnosing and treating patients with Visual Stress.
We use coloured overlays, coloured glasses and eye exercises, which often lead to improvements in reading speed and attention span. We use a colorimeter to help select the best colour for you. There are over 100,000 colour combinations!
Contact us to discuss your symptoms or visit us to see the difference made by coloured lenses.
As Visual Stress still very much a proposed condition, subject to further research, it is recommended that eye professionals make any evaluation of your vision needs.
