Our Special Investigation

If a child is experiencing visual symptoms when reading, the first step is a full eye examination to investigate possible causes for this. If symptoms are still present after any appropriate spectacles or eye exercises have been implemented, visual stress can be considered and a Special Investigation may be advised.

Our Special Investigation looks in detail at the nature of visual distortions the child is experiencing and at particular visual tasks that can make the symptoms worse. We examine factors which can contribute to a child’s reading difficulties. These include visual stress, pattern glare, binocular instability, (problems working the eyes together,) and anomalies in accommodation, (focusing.) Occasionally special eye exercises or exercise glasses are found to be necessary, and these will be discussed with you.

We will usually carry out an assessment with coloured overlays to further investigate visual stress; sometimes this will be carried out using specialist computer software. Passages of print are viewed through overlays of different colours and colour combinations to determine whether a specific colour eases the child’s symptoms.

The Wilkins Rate of Reading Test is used to help us confirm an improvement in performance when using a chosen colour. (It is important to note that this test is not in any way designed to assess a child’s reading ability; that is not the role of an optometrist.)  A recent Delphi study, combining the knowledge and experience of experts in the field, provides practical guidelines for diagnosing visual stress.

If an overlay of a particular colour is found to reduce symptoms and increase comfort it will be issued to be used wherever helpful and appropriate, (e.g., home, school, college.)

Because of the subjective nature of the colour selection process, careful monitoring of the child’s use of an overlay over a period of time, (generally a full school term,) is necessary in order to be sure that colour is of benefit to the child.

Where children are found to have visual problems such as visual stress, treatment of these can help them to read more comfortably and may improve their perception of text. This may help them benefit from teaching and contribute to an improvement in reading performance.

Adults

Adults as well as children can suffer from visual stress and benefit from coloured filters, (please see website information referred to below.) However, the investigative path for adults is generally a little different, with a comprehensive extended eye examination often replacing the Special Investigation and a subsequent colorimetry appointment in place of the overlay assessment and trial.

Please see our website information on Visual Stress and Coloured Overlays and Colorimetry, and if you are concerned in any way about your child’s vision, (or your own,) please contact the practice for advice. Very often the starting point is a full eye examination.

(Please note that some services are available only at our Houghton Regis practice.)