Are you struggling with reading or experiencing headaches, eye strain, or blurred vision? Visual stress may be the cause. We provide comprehensive visual stress tests to diagnose and treat this condition, helping you improve your comfort and quality of life. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
What is Visual Stress?
Visual stress, often known as Meares-Irlen Syndrome, is a condition where individuals experience discomfort or difficulty when reading, often accompanied by headaches, eye strain, and blurred vision. It occurs when the brain has difficulty processing visual information, especially when reading or focusing on text for extended periods.
Studies show that approximately 5-10% of the population experiences visual stress, with a significant number of people unaware of the condition. Visual stress is more common in those with learning difficulties, but it can affect anyone.
How We Can Help You
We understand how visual stress can affect your daily life, from reading difficulties to frequent headaches and eye strain. Our comprehensive visual stress test is the first step in identifying the root cause of your discomfort. After assessing your symptoms and visual needs, we tailor a treatment plan specifically for you, ensuring you receive the most effective solutions to improve your quality of life.
Your Solutions:
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Visual Stress Assessment:
Our thorough eye tests are designed to diagnose visual stress and differentiate it from other conditions like dyslexia or migraines.
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Personalised Treatment Plans:
We provide custom colour overlays or lenses, chosen based on your unique needs, to alleviate symptoms and improve reading comfort.
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Ongoing Support and Reviews:
After your initial consultation, we offer regular follow-ups to monitor progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed, ensuring lasting results.
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Expert Advice:
Our highly trained team will guide you through the process, offering practical solutions for managing visual stress in daily life, such as adjusting your environment or adopting new reading techniques.
With our advanced diagnostic tools and years of experience, you can trust that you’re receiving the best care and support for visual stress at Dickens Eye Clinic.
Am I Suffering from Visual Stress?
Visual stress can present in various ways, affecting both children and adults.
Common symptoms include:
- Blurred or distorted vision while reading
- Headaches or migraines associated with reading
- Eye strain or discomfort when focusing on text
- Words or letters appear to move or blur on the page
- Difficulty tracking lines of text
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Fatigue or dizziness while reading
- Avoiding reading or activities that require sustained focus
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, a visual stress test could help identify the root cause and provide a treatment plan to alleviate discomfort.
Visual Stress and Migraines
Migraines are neurological disorders that cause intense headaches, often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. While migraines can involve visual disturbances like aura or blurry vision, visual stress focuses specifically on the difficulty processing text and the discomfort experienced while reading. Visual stress may also contribute to or exacerbate migraines.
Is Visual Stress Related to Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects reading, spelling, and writing, often making it hard to recognise letters and words. Unlike visual stress, which is related to the discomfort of processing text, dyslexia is primarily a language-processing issue. Although visual stress can be present in people with dyslexia, the two conditions are distinct.
Your Visual Stress Test
The treatment for visual stress typically involves a few key steps:
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1. Initial Assessment:
A comprehensive visual stress test to understand your symptoms and determine the most appropriate treatment.
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2. Colour Overlays or Lenses:
We will identify the optimal colour for your overlays or lenses that help reduce visual stress when reading or focusing on tasks.
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3. Trial Period:
You’ll be given time to test the overlays or lenses in your daily life, with ongoing support from our team to monitor progress.
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4. Regular Reviews:
After the initial consultation and treatment, we schedule regular follow-ups to track your progress and make any necessary adjustments.
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5. Additional Support:
If necessary, we can discuss further strategies, such as different reading techniques or adjustments to your environment, to help manage your symptoms.
Our Instrument
We use advanced diagnostic tools to assess and measure visual stress with precision. Our instruments provide accurate, real-time data that helps us identify the best treatment options for your needs.
The visual stress test involves using colour filters and overlays to measure how they affect your ability to read and focus. This approach ensures we find the perfect colour solution tailored to your specific condition. Our equipment is non-invasive and designed to deliver fast, effective results for improved comfort.
Reducing Your Symptoms
Visual stress can often be significantly reduced by altering the background colour of the text you are reading. By using specific colours or coloured overlays, many individuals experience a dramatic improvement in their comfort level.
When reading, the high contrast of black text on a white background can cause visual stress for some people. Changing the background colour to a soft pastel, for example, can reduce this strain and make the text easier to process. Different colours can work for different individuals, so a tailored solution is often necessary to achieve optimal results.
We provide personalised advice and colour options to help you reduce visual stress and improve your reading experience.
Why Choose Dickens Eye Clinic?
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Unrivalled Expertise
With over 15 years of experience in the field of optometry, Dickens Eye Clinic is a trusted name in Solihull. Our expert team, led by Kazim and Munirali Haji, has helped countless individuals improve their vision and comfort through personalised care and cutting-edge treatments.
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Comprehensive Care
We take a holistic approach to eye care. From initial consultation and diagnosis to ongoing aftercare, we are committed to providing you with a comprehensive service. Every treatment plan is tailored to meet your specific needs, ensuring the best outcomes for your visual health.
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Advanced Diagnostic Tools
Our clinic is equipped with the latest instruments to accurately diagnose visual stress and provide effective solutions. We use advanced technology to measure the best-coloured overlays or lenses to ease your symptoms and improve reading comfort.
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Ongoing Support
Unlike other clinics, we offer regular follow-up consultations to ensure that your treatment continues to be effective. Your progress is our priority, and we are always available to provide further advice or adjustments to your treatment plan as needed.
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Personalised Experience
We pride ourselves on the individualised care we provide. You are not just another patient. We take the time to listen to your concerns, understand your symptoms, and create a personalised treatment plan that works for you. Our patients consistently recommend us because of our attention to detail and commitment to delivering the highest standard of care.
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Community-Focused
We believe in giving back to the community. We actively support causes like Guide Dogs for the Blind and Vision Aid Overseas. By choosing us, you’re joining a clinic that values not only quality care but also social responsibility.
Come and See Us
Don’t let visual stress disrupt your reading and daily life. Get in touch with us today to book your visual stress test and begin your journey towards clearer, more comfortable vision.
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Dickens Eye Clinic
39 Main Street
Dickens Heath
Solihull B90 1UB -
Opening Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday: 9am - 5:00pm
Sunday - Monday: Closed
FAQ
Are visual stress and dyslexia the same thing?
Visual stress and dyslexia are distinct conditions. While they can both cause difficulty with reading, dyslexia primarily involves challenges with language processing, whereas visual stress relates to discomfort and difficulty processing visual information.
Can adults be affected by visual stress?
Yes, visual stress can affect both children and adults. While it’s commonly associated with children, many adults experience visual stress, especially if they read or use screens for extended periods.
How can I get coloured glasses for visual stress?
Coloured glasses for visual stress are typically prescribed after a visual stress test. We will determine the ideal colour and provide lenses or overlays to help alleviate your symptoms.
What are coloured overlays?
Coloured overlays are translucent sheets of coloured plastic that you can place over text to help reduce visual stress. They are often used to help individuals with reading difficulties, making text easier to process.
What are the signs of visual stress?
Signs of visual stress include blurred vision, eye strain, headaches, and the appearance of moving or distorted text when reading.
What are the symptoms of visual stress?
Symptoms of visual stress include difficulty focusing on text, discomfort when reading, headaches, and increased sensitivity to light.
What causes visual stress?
Visual stress is caused by the brain's difficulty in processing visual information, often triggered by high contrast or text that is too dense. This condition can be worsened by prolonged reading or screen use.
What if overlays are helpful?
If you find that coloured overlays help reduce your symptoms, it’s a strong indication that visual stress is the cause. Coloured lenses or filters can then be prescribed for more permanent relief.
What is visual stress?
Visual stress, also known as Meares-Irlen Syndrome, is a condition where people experience discomfort, eye strain, and blurred vision when reading. It can be effectively treated with colour overlays, lenses, and other tailored solutions.