What is Visual Stress?
Some people experience visual perceptual distortions and/or discomfort when they view striped patterns. Because lines of text on a page can appear as a striped pattern, people can experience these symptoms when reading too. Symptoms can include (but are not limited to):
- Illusions of lines bending, blurring or shimmering
- Illusions of shadowy shapes among lines
- Nausea
- Dizziness, discomfort and unease
Sometimes individually selected coloured filters can alleviate adverse symptoms and/or increase reading speed. Coloured filters can be overlays (sheets of plastic that are placed over passages of text) or precisely tinted prescription spectacle lenses.
Visual Stress Assessment
Before we see patients for a visual stress assessment, we complete a full eye examination to rule out other visual problems, such as the need for spectacles. If appropriate, we will then book a visual stress appointment where we will assess:
- How the eyes move and focus in greater detail
- Symptoms of visual stress and pattern glare
- Whether a patient prefers to read text through a coloured overlay
- Whether the preferred coloured overlay improves reading speed
If a benefit is indicated, the individually selected coloured overlay can be prescribed and taken home. If the overlays help to resolve symptoms and are still being used after 3 months, a full colorimetry assessment is recommended (where we establish the precise tint required in a spectacle frame by changing the appearance of light using the latest digital Colorimeter). The preferred overlay colour and spectacle lens colour are often different.
Who performs the assessments?
Dr Laura Monger conducts visual stress assessments at our St Ives branch and colorimetry assessments at our location in Huntingdon.
She is a fully qualified optometrist who completed her PhD research into visual stress in 2016.
Dyslexia and reading difficulties
Visual stress and coloured filters are often incorrectly associated with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. Although some patients
find a benefit from coloured filters, it is important to note that coloured filters will not help every patient with visual discomfort, dyslexia
or reading difficulties. Coloured filters are not a cure or treatment for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia.
What to do next?
If you would like further information or to book an appointment with us,
please contact us on:
St Ives - 01480 463655
