Visual (Eye) Problems & Dyslexia / Learning Difficulties

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Boy Having an Eye Test
Boy Having an Eye Test

Visual (Eye) Problems & Dyslexia

The Optical Information Council has estimated that one child in five may have undetected visual (eye) problems.

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.

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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 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

³It 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)

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  • Visual Stress & Dyslexia

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    Some People See Text Like This

    Visual Stress?
    Dyslexia & Learning Difficulties

    What 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 - Dyslexia
    Colorimeter Machine

    The Colorimeter

    The Colorimeter uses thousands of 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 On-line Testing

    You can also carry out 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 1JS

    Haine & Smith
    Chippenham
    Wilts.
    SN15 3JP.

    Specsavers

    Swindon
    Regent Street
    Swindon, Wilts.
    SN1 1JS.

     

  • Coloured Overlays & Dyslexia

    Coloured Overlays & Dyslexia

    Coloured 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/or
    • 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 to see if the student finds them beneficial.  You can buy these sheets and craft shops, WH Smith or Amazon, and 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
    Chippenham

    Haine & Smith Opticians
    Regent Street
    Swindon.

    Specsavers
    Swindon

    1Research Suggests

     

  • Dyslexia - 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, sell these for £6.99 and mention 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 and makes 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 they haven’t gone and got it for themselves, I don’t think you will find they are benefiting from them.
    • 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 suggesting you do this whilst waiting for your appointment.

    I have always told parents, “If you think there is a problem, there probably is”.

    Maria Chivers
    29/12/2022

  • ChromaGen Lenses & Dyslexia

    ChromaGen LensesChromaGen Lenses (Glasses or Contact Lenses

    1ChromaGen has been clinically proven to help improve the accuracy of reading, writing, comprehension and to help patients who suffer from either colour deficiency or academic skills disorders (ASD).

    Features

    • Up to 9 different coloured filters
    • Up to 25 different contact lenses with different colours, pupil sizes and parameters

    Benefits

    • ChromaGen has been known to help in Dyspraxia (clumsiness) and Migraine sufferers.
    • ChromaGen filters re-synchronise and electively change the speed of the information in the pathways to enable sufferers to improve their reading ability.
    • Enhance safety for those that are colour deficient (e.g. easier to identify traffic and car lights).

    ChromaGen Lenses

    *Research published a few years ago confirms that the ChromaGen system produces a highly significant effect, with an average increase in overall reading speed of 24%.

    The screening test using the GhromaGen system is available through participating opticians.

    For further information, go to

    ChromaGen – UK
    or
    ChromaGen.org

    1ChromaGen-Cantor & Nissel Ltd – 29/12/22.

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Alli Can’t Write

A Storybook for Children with Handwriting Difficulties.

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