Visual Dyslexia can be deeply frustrating, but if you understand the causes of difficulty good progress is usually possible for anyone.

Could this be your child?

• He complains that words move, dance or swim when they try to read.
• When reading, the page becomes blurred.
• He loses his place easily when reading, leaves out words or even skips lines.
• When copying, he makes more mistakes than you would expect.
• He has poor spelling.

If you recognise your child in any of these points, he could be suffering from Visual Dyslexia.

Everyday tasks such as reading and writing can be extremely difficult for anyone suffering from Visual Dyslexia and other reading disorders. Although these problems are often associated with children, our clinic welcomes adults too. These symptoms can occur despite having 'perfect' sight and vary in intensity from one individual to another.

Research has shown that changing the colour of reading material or using a coloured overlay can dramatically improve reading skills This phenomenon is referred to as Meares/Irlen Syndrome or Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome. Coloured overlays have been shown to reduce visual stress and increase reading fluency in about 20% of school children. There is doubtless more than one reason, and placebo effects probably contribute. In 5% of children the increase in speed with overlays is greater than 25%. A variety of controlled trials have shown that placebo effects are not a sufficient explanation for the increase in reading speed.

Our assessment starts with a full eye examination to check whether the difficulties could be due to any uncorrected prescription or eye muscle balance problem. We then use a computer program to decide which colour (if any) when placed over reading material, make a significant improvement to reading comfort and ability.

This colour is then prescribed in the form of an overlay that is used when reading. We also have a computer program that allows you to change the background colour of your computer screen to simulate the use of the overlay - a useful tool in today's paperless environment.

Patients are monitored regularly to check that the overlay is still working for them and refine the colour choice as required.