Visual Stress is a term used to describe visual discomfort and perceptual distortions in printed text, and is suffered by some people who struggle to read. Symptoms may include:
- Movement of printed text
- Blurring of print
- Letters changing in size or shape
- Patterns in the print (sometimes described as rivers or worms)
- Halos of colour surrounding letters or words
- Tiring easily whilst reading
- Headaches or visual discomfort
Some individuals who find reading tiring and unpleasant may unknowingly experience Visual Stress.
How might colour help?
Colorimetry can help children and adults who suffer with:
- Dyslexia
- Autism
- Head traumas
- Migraines
- Visual stress
- Cluster headaches
- Px’s who have had strokes
- Epilepsy
There is now scientific research to show that both coloured filters (worn as spectacles) and coloured plastic sheets laid over text (known as overlays) can help some children and adults to read.
Coloured overlays reduce the perceptual distortions of text that people sometimes describe. They enable some children and adults to read text more fluently, with less discomfort and fewer headaches.
The Colorimetry Assessment involves assessing the effects of a wide range of colours. We use the Wilkins Rate of Reading Test which is a test that consists of a simple passage of randomly ordered words that we ask our clients to read aloud as rapidly and as accurately as possible with and without colour filters.
The Coloured Overlay and colorimetry assessment is a private examination and is not covered on the NHS, if you feel Colorimetry could benefit you call our southwell branch on 01636 812286
