Visual Stress and reading difficulties
Some people who experience difficulty reading find print fading, blurring or moving on the page. Find out more about Visual Stress here.
Understanding Visual Stress
Some people struggle with reading, light sensitivity and visual discomfort. For many, this is due to a condition called Visual Stress — a surprisingly common issue that often goes unrecognised, even though simple, effective help is available.
Those affected by Visual Stress often find it difficult to concentrate on written work or screen-based tasks. Common signs include rubbing the eyes, frequent headaches, words appearing to move or blur on the page, and becoming easily distracted while reading.
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Visual Stress Symptoms
Visual Stress can cause noticeable physical discomfort. This often shows up as excessive eye rubbing or blinking, eye strain, headaches, and a dislike of artificial or bright lighting.
It can also affect how print appears on the page. Text may seem to move, vibrate or blur, and words can sometimes fade or disappear altogether. Some people notice patterns or colours within the text, spots of light appearing on the page, or a glare that makes text or patterns look unusually bright or three-dimensional.
These visual effects often have a knock-on impact on reading itself. You may find reading difficult or tiring, lose your place easily, or struggle to concentrate. For some, particularly children, Visual Stress can contribute to a slower reading speed or difficulty learning to read and write.
How we can help
We are an optician in Newcastle upon Tyne with a special interest in Visual Stress and a dedicated Visual Stress suite - Vision Through Colour
Vision Through Colour specialises in diagnosing and helping patients with Visual Stress, which is also known by some sufferers as Meares-Irlen Syndrome or Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome.
Since 2009 we have used coloured overlays, coloured glasses and eye exercises. We use a colorimeter to help select the best colour for you from over 7000 colour combinations!