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Visual (Eye) Problems – Dyslexia & Learning Difficulties
The Optical Information Council has estimated that one child in five may have undetected (eye) problems. Hidden eye problems could cause dyslexic-type issues or other learning difficulties, and an eye test should be arranged as soon as possible.
Standard Dyslexia Eye Tests – NHS
Regular standard eye tests are available on the ¹NHS in the UK. The tests are free for all children up to 16 years or 19 years if they are still in full-time education.
Some children with Visual Stress or Meares-Irlen Syndrome get labelled as problem children, which is such a shame because it can often be because these children cannot see correctly. How can you learn to read if the letters are wobbling? These tests should enable them to be identified at a much earlier age.
Once again, these tests may also be available under the standard eye tests on the NHS, but checking before you book them is advisable.
Optometrists will advise people when they should go for further tests. If the child does not have eye problems, they are usually advised to book every two years. Adults are often advised to have other eye tests every year.
Test before they fail!
Eye tests should be carried out before the child starts to fail, as the damage caused to their self-esteem is very difficult to restore.
During the last decade, many studies have shown that children with undiagnosed eye problems often have dyslexia or other learning difficulties. It stands to reason if a child cannot see correctly, they will not be able to read, spell and write.
Vision screening – in Schools
Many parents know that nurses or other members of the NHS go into the schools in the child’s first term to use vision screening tools. This happens in most parts of the UK. These are very important, but I have personally known parents who have not taken their child to the opticians, even though that child appeared to have a visual problem when reading because they wrongly thought the school had given them the all-clear; therefore, they thought there couldn’t be a problem. This wastes valuable time in a young child’s life.
²Vision screening The NHS recommends vision screening for ages 4 to 5 years. We want to identify children with reduced vision in one or both eyes, and the aim is to detect problems early so your child can receive adequate treatment.
Eye Tests on the NHS – not just about glasses
It is a common misconception that sight tests are just about glasses. The sight test is also about eye health and identifying sight-threatening conditions which can often be treated. Some types of sight loss have no apparent signs or symptoms, and such sight problems must be detected early through eye tests to maximise the opportunity for treatment.
Beware Headlines Stating
‘Experts hail cure for child dyslexia’ and
‘Dyslexia: A miracle Cure.’
These headlines appeared in many national newspapers over the past twenty years. And they have been talking about the incredible success being achieved by scores of dyslexic students.
Remarkable achievements have occurred after being prescribed vision training or tinted glasses. However, a word of caution: whilst ‘tinted glasses’ or similar may work for some children, it does not work for everyone.
¹Eye tests for children – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
²Eye tests for children – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Visual Stress & Dyslexia
Some People See Text Like This Visual Stress?
Dyslexia & Learning DifficultiesWhat is Visual Stress, and how does it affect people with Dyslexia and Learning Difficulties?
1Irlen Syndrome (also referred to at times as Meares-Irlen Syndrome, Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, and Visual Stress, is a perceptual processing disorder. It is not an optical problem. It is a problem with the brain’s ability to process visual information. This problem tends to run in families and is not currently identified by other standardized educational or medical tests.
Irlen Syndrome affects about 47% of individuals with reading or learning difficulties, including dyslexia.
Colorimeter Machine The Colorimeter
The Colorimeter uses thousands of colours to find the exact one for you.
Irlen found that some students benefited from the use of coloured overlays. The overlays seemed to work by filtering out light that caused distortions to print, and the problems appeared to be worse with black print on white paper.
The optometrists can give children coloured overlays to take home and try for a few weeks before they complete a full trial. (Guide on how to use coloured overlays at home.)
Signs of Irlen Syndrome
You may benefit from glasses or lenses if, when reading, you find:
- Light Sensitivity
- Reading Problems
- Headaches and Migraines
- Attention and Concentration Problems
- Strain and Fatigue
- Problems with Depth Perception
- Print or Environmental Distortions
- Have a look at this excellent video by Irlen Syndrome on YouTube.
1https://www.irlensyndrome.org/what-is-Irlen-syndrome/
Irlen Syndrome Testing
To find your closest Centre, go to ‘find an International Irlen Testing Centre’ through the Irlen International Website.
Irlen Syndrome – Free Online Testing
You can also complete a free online Self Test at (irlen.com/get-tested). This will help determine if this could be your or your child’s problem.
The Colorimeter – In the UK
In the UK, there are Irlen Testing Centres and private optometrists who can also carry out this test. They often give children coloured overlays to take home and try for a few weeks before they complete a full trial.
In the Wiltshire area, there are several optometrists, including;
Haine & Smith
Regent Street
Swindon, Wilts. SN1 1JSHaine & Smith
Chippenham
Wilts.
SN15 3JP.Specsavers
Swindon
Regent Street
Swindon, Wilts.
SN1 1JS.Coloured Overlays & Dyslexia
Coloured Overlays & DyslexiaColoured overlays help people with dyslexia and other Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs). Students have said they have found it easier to read more fluently and quicker when using these Coloured Overlays.
Research suggests an Improvement in reading speed
1Research has found that one in five children will demonstrate an improvement in reading speed through the use of a coloured overlay.
What are Coloured Overlays?
Coloured Overlays are clear-coloured plastic sheets that can be placed over a page in a book. They work by reducing the visual perceptual distortions of text. Some dyslexic students say when reading, the words go:
- Fuzzy
- Jump about
- Blurry
- Swirl and
- Form Patterns.
Students who would like to try these coloured overlays can have a short assessment to find out the best colour for them, and if they find them successful, they can have a full test to find out the exact tint needed. Once this is completed, ‘tinted glasses’ can be made for them, enabling the student to use them for other tasks. This colour can be added to prescription glasses.
In the UK, some schools can carry out the Coloured Overlay assessment.
Some parents purchase several coloured plastic sheets and check if the student finds them beneficial. You can buy these sheets at craft shops, WH Smith or Amazon; they are under £7.99 for a pack of eight.
How to carry out a check at home.
It is still advisable to see an optometrist because they use a wide range of tints.
Disability Student Allowance (DSA) and Tinted Glasses
If students are eligible for Disability Student Allowance, they can claim approximately £300 towards the price of the colour in the glasses.
Specialist Opticians for Colorimeter
Specialist Opticians in the Swindon area who use the Colorimeter include:
Haine & Smith Opticians
ChippenhamHaine & Smith Opticians
Regent Street
Swindon.Specsavers
SwindonDyslexia - Guide on how to use Coloured Overlays at Home
How to Use Coloured Overlays at Home
by Maria Chivers
While you are waiting for an appointment, may I suggest parents go to a stationery, Smiths, Amazon, etc. and buy some coloured acetate sheets? Amazon sells these for £6.99 and mentions dyslexia in their description (link below.)
You can then use these overlays while the student is relaxed at home and see what you think.
The following guide will help you see if your child/student needs to use these.
How to use Coloured Overlays.
- Find a passage in a book that your child is reading.
- Using all six colours separately, put one colour on the page. Ask the child, “Is that better or worse?”
- Please go through all the colours until the child finds the one they think is best, making it easier to see the words.
- With the ones the student has put aside, put them out of the way. Repeat until the student finds the one that they think is the clearest.
- Put that coloured overlay into the reading book.
- Use it every time the student reads for a week or so.
- Then, one day, when the student has finished reading with the overlay, quietly move it to a side table IN CLEAR VIEW.
- Next time the student is going to read, see if they ask for the overlay. If they don’t ask for it, leave it where it is.
- After several days, if s/he hasn’t asked where it is or gotten it for themselves, I don’t think you will find they are benefiting from it.
- Children often want nice ‘new’ things and say they help, but this is a good test. A child that needs colour to help them will ask for the sheet every time.
Please Note
This is only my personal view. I am not an optometrist, and I am not suggesting you don’t need an assessment. I am telling you to do this while waiting for your appointment.
I have always told parents, “If you think there is a problem, there probably is”.
Maria Chivers
29/12/2022
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