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Visual dyslexia is a reality for about 30% of the population. It can cause headaches, migraines, reading discomfort and distortion of text that can vary from mild to so severe that reading is seriously impaired or even prevented. Many people who experience these issues find that placing coloured overlays onto the printed reading material helps alleviate discomfort and can improve reading efficiency and comprehension. Some people who experience headaches and other forms of visual discomfort have also found improvements from using these overlays. Cerium coloured overlays (shown with testing set). credit:ceriumvistechproducts.com Software solutions
To make matters worse English is littered with exceptions to the letter-sound rules. Compare bough, dough, lough, cough, enough! After all that effort on reading each word, many children can't remember the words they read at the beginning of a sentence to understand the whole thing. Contrary to the coloured lenses research that was conducted in 1999, coloured overlays can be looked upon as controversial. This is because, in an experiment conducted where some participants were asked to read text without an overlay and then with an overlay, there was no significant difference between the reading speeds for either method. For example, Emily, aged 7 when the experiment took place, had a reading speed of 49 correct words per minute (CWPM) without an overlay and 48 CWPM with the overlay. The overlays being referred to as dyslexia overlays can also be considered controversial because they do not only help people with dyslexia, but they can also be beneficial for people with dyspraxia and AD(H)D. What Colour Overlay is Best for Dyslexia? In cerebellar patients he had shown that their unstable vision was due to damage to large nerve cells in the brain, known as visual magnocells, that are specialised for detecting movement. When these magnocells are not working properly the servo system that keeps your eyes fixed on a letter fails, and so the letters appear to move around. So with Sue he set up a clinic to investigate whether children's visual reading problems were due to the same cause. Blue filters can be even more effective. Joe Taylor showed that they probably work in a different way; because blue can affect the brain unconsciously. From the grainy two-dimensional images that are projected onto our retinae, and projected to the visual cortex via the retino-geniculate pathway, the brain creates a conscious vivid and detailed three-dimensional visual experience. But blue projects to other important pathways running from the eyes deep into a primitive part of the brain called the hypothalamus; this controls powerful physiological systems that regulate our diurnal rhythms: when we wake up, the daily rise and fall of our blood pressure, energy and hormone levels, that we are hardly aware of. Melanopsin retinal ganglion cells and their projections (melanopsin RGCs) ChromaGen: ChromaGen lenses are designed to help with visual processing issues related to dyslexia. They use coloured filters to modify the wavelength of light entering the eye, which may help improve reading ability for some individuals.Wilkins AJ, Jeanes RJ, Pumfrey PD, Lakier M. Rate of Reading Test ®: Its reliability, and its validity in the assessment of the effects of coloured overlays. Opthalmic and Physiological Optics. 1996; 16(6):491–497. doi: 10.1016/0275-5408(96)00028-2. [ PubMed] [ CrossRef] [ Google Scholar] The vision screening that most children undergo at school entry (age 4 to 5) is only a test of whether a child can see clearly in the distance. It is not a comprehensive assessment of eyes or vision and does not test any of the functions required for clear and comfortable vision when reading. For this reason, every child should have a full sight test when they start school, and as frequently as recommended by their optometrist after that. Research on dyslexia has shown that dyslexia is not caused by a problem with the eyes. Dyslexia is caused, at least in part, by a difference in how the brain processes visual information. So you can have 20/20 vision but when what the eye sees enters the nerves, the neural pathway is ‘scrambled’ or takes a detour that makes the processing of that information slower.
Singleton C, Henderson LM. Computerized screening for visual stress in children with dyslexia. Dyslexia. 2007; 13:130–151. doi: 10.1002/dys.329. [ PubMed] [ CrossRef] [ Google Scholar] Coloured Filters Olive Meares in Australia was the first to suggest that children with visual reading difficulties may see print more easily through certain coloured filters. This was taken up commercially in the USA and UK. But these systems require that each child is individually prescribed a special colour; so the glasses tend to cost a lot! However since the visual magnocellular system is mainly influenced by just yellow or blue light, John & Sue argue that these are the only two colours that will really make much difference. Software solutions can achieve the same effect on the computer screen. Here are some options that you can try, many of which are free. In 1999, British scientists carried out clinical trials that “found that coloured lenses could help people with visual dyslexia.” 400 children participated in the most recent study where “90% reported a significant improvement in reading, writing and comprehension skills” whilst wearing the coloured lenses. Over the 6-month assessment period, the children showed a minimum improvement rate of 45% for their reading, writing and comprehension skills. How Do Coloured Overlays for Dyslexia Work? The DRT has carried out a randomised control trial that showed that in suitable dyslexic children, wearing blue filters for 3 months improved their reading age by an amazing 9 months.This light sensitivity can cause symptoms that look similar to dyslexia and Irlen Syndrome experts suggest that some people are incorrectly diagnosed with dyslexia when in fact, they have Irlen Syndrome. McCurdy BL, Cundari LA, Lentz F. Enhancing instructional efficiency: An examination of time delay and the opportunity to observe instruction. Education & Treatment of Children. 1990; 13(2):226–238. [ Google Scholar] Learning aids for dyslexia can come in different forms. Such as coloured paper and coloured overlays can help with reading and writing difficulties by easing visual stress, improving reading rate and comprehension, and making reading and writing feel far more comfortable. Pencil grips can help if you feel that you struggle with your handwriting or hold your pencil correctly. Dictaphones are perfect for recording important information in case of forgetfulness and they alleviate the stress of reading and writing if you’re not confident in those areas. Kriss I, Evans BJW. The relationship between dyslexia and Meares-Irlen syndrome. Journal of Research in Reading. 2005; 28:350–364. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9817.2005.00274.x. [ CrossRef] [ Google Scholar]
Good RH, Kaminski RA. Dynamic indicators of basic early literacy skills. 6. Eugene, OR: Institute for the Development of Educational Achievement; 2002. [ Google Scholar] Some people experience visual discomfort or disturbance when they read. Common symptoms that may significantly impair reading ability, or make reading very tiring, include: Whatever type of learning aid you think will help you or a loved one, you can rely on Ryman UK. Our range of dyslexia stationery includes coloured overlays, specialist card, pencil grips, pen accessories, and more from top brands. We even have a visual stress test that can suggest what colour paper or overlay is best for you, easing any frustrations and letting you find the products you need the first time around. We all face different challenges in the educational and working world, but our range of stationery will help you feel more confident and comfortable in both. Evans BJW, Patel R, Wilkins AJ, Lightstone A, Eperjesi F, Speedwell L, et al. A review of the management of 323 consecutive patients seen in a specific learning difficulties clinic. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics. 1999; 19:454–466. doi: 10.1046/j.1475-1313.1999.00465.x. [ PubMed] [ CrossRef] [ Google Scholar] Overlays are similar to the aforementioned tinted glasses. They come in a variety of colours to suit the personal preferences of each individual.Colored lenses provided by optometrists and vision specialists to treat reading problems are not the same as the Irlen Method. These professionals do not have the correct diagnostic process for color selection and inaccurate color selection can result in worsening symptoms. Is it Dyslexia or Irlen Syndrome? DeLeon IG, Iwata BA. Evaluation of a multiple-stimulus presentation format for assessing reinforcer preferences. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. 1996; 29:519–533. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1996.29-519. [ PMC free article] [ PubMed] [ CrossRef] [ Google Scholar]
One limitation of this study is that the effects of the Modeling intervention cannot be experimentally validated. As a result, it is difficult to attribute gains in CWPM to the Modeling intervention alone. Although Modeling as an intervention has been experimentally validated elsewhere (e.g., Knapp and Winsor 1998; McCurdy et al. 1990; Skinner et al. 1997), when attempting to compare the effects of one intervention to another, the comparison needs to be conducted in such a manner that effects can be directly linked to one intervention or the other. However, the effects of the colored overlay may be experimentally compared to no colored overlay. Kruk R, Sumbler K, Willows D. Visual processing characteristics of children with Meares-Irlen syndrome. Opthalmic and Physiological Optics. 2008; 28:35–46. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-1313.2007.00532.x. [ PubMed] [ CrossRef] [ Google Scholar]Helveston EM. Scotopic sensitivity syndrome. Arch Ophthalmology. 1990; 108(9):1232–1233. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1990.01070110048023. [ PubMed] [ CrossRef] [ Google Scholar] Irlen Method technology uses colored overlays and filters to improve the brain’s ability to process visual information. To truly determine if your child suffers from light sensitivity, or Irlen Syndrome, it is recommended that they be screened by a professional trained in the Irlen Method. Proponents of this theory say that prescribed coloured eyeglasses or plastic overlays could alleviate perceived visual distortions. It is believed that the removal of this visual stress would improve reading and facilitate the development of reading skills in the longer term and help people with dyslexia. The simplicity of the intervention has helped it to become embedded into the practice of teachers, educational psychologists, optometrists and NHS orthoptic departments across the UK. If you filter out the problem wavelength with someone who has this sensitivity the text becomes clearer, and headaches and migraines can be reduced.
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