Dyslexia is the most common cause of reading, writing, and spelling difficulties. At least 1 in ten people have dyslexia and some statistics suggest 1 in 5. Many remain undiagnosed, untreated and struggling with the impact of their dyslexia. More than 2 million people in the UK are severely affected.
Redgate Opticians offers patients with Dyslexia a specialised eye examination.
We often find that patients with dyslexia present with symptoms of eye strain or headaches produced by visual distortions such as movement, fading or blurring of print. Our Dyslexia sight test includes a full examination to ensure that the symptoms are not attributable to other problems within the visual system such as uncorrected refractive error or undiagnosed pathology. Several additional eye sight tests are performed to assess visual problems commonly associated with dyslexia and other learning difficulties such as weakness in focusing or binocular control as well as the effect of colour.
Ocular Health & Dyslexia
No correlation has been found between pathology and dyslexia but cases have been reported where visual symptoms associated with eye disease have been mistakenly assumed by the patients to relate to dyslexia, therefore we perform full retinal scans as part of our Specialised Children Eye Exam.
Refraction & Dyslexia
Children with dyslexia or reading difficulties benefit greatly from spectacles or contact lenses to correct refractive errors. Significant refractive errors left uncorrected during critical periods of development (up to age 8-10) may result in amblyopia (permanently impaired vision).
Binocular Vision, Accommodation & Dyslexia
Research has shown correlations between binocular vision disorders and specific learning difficulties (particularly dyslexia). Most common eye sight problems involve focusing close up (accommodation), changing the position of focus or moving the eyes in and out so that they are well aligned. Exercises and spectacles can be used to treat most of these conditions.
Colour & Dyslexia
Placebo controlled studies have shown that some patients with Meares-Irlen Syndrome (scotopic sensitivity syndrome) benefit from a colour tint. The tint is specific for each individual. The symptoms of Meares Irlen syndrome are easily confused with those arising from the conditions outlined above so refractive errors and binocular or accommodative abnormalities are treated first. Chromagen tints may be incorporated into spectacles or contact lenses or coloured overlays can be given. Our computerised scotopic sensitivity test will determine whether a coloured overlay will help the patient along with the most suitable hue.
Dyslexia Eye Sight Test & Aftercare
A dyslexia sight test will include full medical scans of the front and back surface of the eye, digitally measured prescriptions for accurate prescriptions, specialised binocular vision testing, full test of the ocular muscles stereoscopic vision testing, a computerised based Meares-Irlem testing , a full report, spectacles and coloured overlays (if necessary). The initial appointment will last approximately 45 minutes. A follow up appointment to measure progress is also included.
The cost of the Dyslexia Eye Examination is £50.
(A standard NHS eye examination for everyone under the age of 16 is FREE)
Call 01494 258 690 and ask for a ”Dyslexia Sight Test” with one of our Specialist Optometrists.