Colorimetry is the use of colour to ease Visual Stress, sometimes referred to as Meares-Irlen Syndrome.
Visual Stress is a sensitivity to striped patterns. The most usual example of this is written text on a page, but the discomfort can even extend to looking at venetian blinds, radiator grills, floorboards and flights of steps etc.
One in five people would benefit from using colour, and dyslexics and sufferers of light-triggered migraines are more than likely to be in that 20%.
ReadEZ System
Here at Earlam and Christopher, we have invested in the ReadEZ System, which uses the latest computer-based technology to determine each patient’s preferred colour.
The typical symptoms you may experience with visual stress include:
- Movement or blurring of print
- Glare from the white page
- The need to rub or blink their eyes
- Losing their place when reading
- Using a finger as a marker on the page
- Tiring easily when reading
- Eye strain and or headaches
These problems can make reading an uncomfortable task, and so the person’s concentration becomes easily broken and they lose attention.
You need to have had an eye examination with us before we can carry out the assessment.
There are a wide variety of reasons why you may suffer with visual stress and benefit from colorimetry including:
- Dyslexia
- Light triggered migraines
- Light sensitive individuals
- 20% of the population would benefit from colorimetry even without other issues
- 40% of poor readers could benefit from colorimetry assessment
Before having a Colorimetry assessment, a thorough eye examination needs to be performed. This will determine whether the cause of the discomfort is due to Visual Stress, or whether there is a need for a spectacle prescription, a need for muscle exercises or an underlying pathology.
You need to have had an eye examination with us before we can carry out the assessment.
Overlays
These are coloured acetate sheets which can be placed over text in a book. They can either be given as an A5 sheet, or as a narrow strip which highlights the line being read. If a child gets on well with an overlay they then progress onto the next step which is tinted lenses.
Tinted Lenses
These are suitable for adults and children or those who have already tried overlays. Tinted lenses to the patient’s preferred colour and prescription are put into a spectacle frame. They are ideal for reading, but also allow the patient to write and/or look at the white board. A tinted clip-on can be provided which will fit over existing spectacles.
Virtual Overlay
If the background colour on computer screens is problematic. With ReadEZ, a patient’s chosen tint can be downloaded straight onto their computer using the Virtual Overlay Software.
You need to have had an eye examination with us before we can carry out the assessment.
