Visual stress assessments
Does reading cause discomfort, tired eyes or the impression that words are moving, blurring or shimmering?
At Robert Ellin Opticians, we use the Thomson ReadEZ system to assess children and adults experiencing visual discomfort when reading. The assessment explores whether an individually selected coloured overlay or reading guide may make text more comfortable to view.
What is visual stress?
Visual stress is a term used to describe visual discomfort or perceptual symptoms triggered by text and other high-contrast patterns. Some people report that text appears blurred, distorted, crowded, shimmering or difficult to track.
These symptoms can have several possible causes. A comprehensive eye examination is therefore important before coloured overlays are considered.
Could you or your child be experiencing visual discomfort when reading?
Losing their place or finding it difficult to follow a line
Skipping words or lines
Rubbing or closing one eye while reading
Headaches or eyestrain during close work
Reading becoming tiring or uncomfortable
Sensitivity to the brightness or contrast of a white page
Text appearing blurred, doubled, crowded, shimmering or unstable
Avoiding reading or being able to read comfortably for only short periods
Visual stress and dyslexia
Visual stress and dyslexia are not the same condition.
Some people with dyslexia also report visual discomfort when reading, but visual stress can occur without dyslexia, and most reading difficulties are not caused by a visual problem.
A visual stress assessment cannot diagnose dyslexia, and coloured overlays or tinted lenses do not treat dyslexia. Where an individual experiences visual symptoms, a carefully selected colour may make the page more comfortable to view, but it does not replace appropriate educational assessment or literacy support.