Visual Difficulties

If you/your child is experiencing reading difficulties including difficulty following text across the page, headaches when reading, complains that the words move around, are blurred or doubled, they may have a form of visual disturbance, sometimes referred to as ‘visual stress’. The first step is to visit an optometrist to check vision, including convergence and divergence.

It is important to be aware that this is a separate condition from dyslexia, and any treatment of visual difficulties is not treatment for dyslexia. However, some dyslexics find it easier to read text that is on coloured backgrounds rather than white. Black text on a white background may seem to glare or even flash, making it difficult to focus on the words and causing fatigue. In more extreme cases words may seem to float around the page and become distorted.

If you are affected in this way, it is important that this is investigated by a suitably qualified professional. An optometrist can assess eye health and visual function and advise on treatments which may include coloured glasses, vision therapy, etc.  NHS offer free eye tests for children under 16 years (and up to 19 years if in full time education). Start with this, but mention any symptoms of disturbance at your appointment. Onward referral may be necessary to investigate further and fees may be involved.

Some people find it helpful to read with a coloured sheet of transparent plastic (overlay) over a white page or a coloured background on a computer screen, while others find it makes no difference. If you are experiencing visual difficulties however, it is important that the use of overlays does not replace a professional assessment with an optometrist.