Specialist Lenses

Specialist lenses

We offer Intuitive Colorimetry Assessments performed by trained professionals to aid in the symptoms of visual stress.

Visual stress is a term used to describe visual discomfort and perceptual distortions in printed text. Symptoms can be experienced in varying degrees from simple fatigue, to difficulties when looking at text.

Symptoms may include:

Movement of printed text
Blurring of print
Letters changing in size or shape
Patterns in the print (sometimes described as rivers or worms)
Halos of colour surrounding letters or words
Tiring easily whilst reading
Headaches or visual discomfort

Visual stress is not dyslexia, but the two can run concurrently. It is believed that up to 20% of dyslexic people may also suffer with visual stress symptoms. Similar findings have suggested visual stress may also be found in patients suffering from migraines and autism spectrum disorders. In some cases the symptoms of visual stress may be reduced with the use of coloured filters (a coloured overlay placed over text or precision tinted coloured lenses worn in spectacles). It is thought that offering a large number ofcolours allows for optimal results, thus the Intuitive Colorimeter offers thousands of colour combinations so is able to provide a true precision tint for the patient.

Visual stress is a term used to describe perceptual distortions and discomfort that may be triggered by factors such as patterns and lights. This stimulus can cause the brain to overact and induce symptoms. These symptoms can vary in severity from fatigue to acute discomfort when looking at patterns or text. Visual stress is not dyslexia but can run concurrently.

As a first step, it is important that anyone who struggles with their reading has a full eye examination, which will check for the existence of refractive errors, such as long or short sight or astigmatism. (This sight test is free of charge to school aged children under NHS provision.) It is important to treat any other vision deficits before testing for Visual Stress.

Once an eye examination has been conducted, the optician may then carry out an initial test for the existence of Visual Stress, using coloured overlay sheets.

Whilst coloured overlays are useful when reading from a book, precision tints are more convenient when copying from the board or from another book or for those individuals who are particularly light sensitive and may develop headaches and eye strain when attempting to read.

If, as a result of using the overlay, Visual Stress is found to exist, the optician may suggest prescribing Precision Tinted lenses as a longer term aid.

Precision Tinted Lenses may also prevent migraine attacks since migraine is often associated with a sensitivity to glare, and some patients are photophobic during an attack. Glare sensitivity may occur in response to bright lights and bold geometric patterns, particularly those of stripes.This sensitivity is associated with a strong response in the visual cortex of the brain and may be reduced by using Precision Tinted Lenses. More often they enable patients to continue their daily activities despite attacks, and to cope in uncomfortable environments.

Contact us to find out more about Colorimetry Assessments and Cerium Precision Tinted lenses or visit: https://ceriumvistech.com/precision-tinted-lenses/