Vision Training & Colorimetry Clinics

1 IN 5 CHILDREN IMPROVE READING SPEED WITH THE USE OF COLOUR

Many children and adults who have reading or specific learning difficulties have subtle visual problems, which may prevent them from achieving their full potential at school or work. Often, these problems will only be detected through a series of specialised tests and techniques, which are outside the scope of a routine eye examination.

These visual problems may cause symptoms such as sore eyes or headaches when reading, poor concentration or even avoiding reading altogether.

Vision Training

In our Vision Training Clinic, we investigate eye movement skills, focusing speed and accuracy, and the ability of the eyes to work well together. Any slight imbalance or weakness of the eye muscles can result in visual difficulty and/or discomfort. If appropriate, we may recommend a series of simple eye exercises to improve eye muscle control.

The other area we investigate is the use of coloured plastic sheets (overlays), placed over text when reading. The use of colour has been shown to reduce symptoms such as glare from the page, moving letters, and flickering shapes or colours on the page.

Research has found that one in five children will demonstrate an improvement in reading speed through the use of a coloured overlay.

Colorimetry

For those who find a colour overlay helpful, we are able to use a special instrument called a colorimeter, to accurately select the exact colour needed for tinted spectacle lenses.

Tinted spectacles are usually found to be of even more benefit than an overlay because the lens shade is measured so precisely. The colorimeter is able to select the exact tint required from a range of over 110,000 shades and as the colour is specific to each individual it needs to be selected very precisely.