Visual Assessments
Background Information
Vision and Dyslexia
There is a wealth of scientific research published in clinical academic journals suggesting that some types of visual problems may be correlated (associated) with specific learning difficulties, including dyslexia and dyspraxia.
Our Visual Assessment is tailored to investigate two broad aspects of “vision” with respect to people who are underachieving because of conditions, such as dyslexia, in accordance with guidelines suggested by the Medical Research Council and the College of Optometrist.
It is not just a “sight test” but a full eye examination, including a further in-depth investigation of how the eyes and the eye muscles work together. A visual assessment takes about sixty minutes.
Visual Assessments are not offered by the NHS.
Concessions would be made if you are entitled to an NHS Sight Test.
For more information on Visual Assessments, please contact our reception team.
Eyesight & Eye Muscles
Whilst visual problems are frequently associated with the difficulties experienced by individuals with such conditions as dyslexia, they are not the cause of the learning difficulties.
However, they may be contributory factors and they need to be dealt with to ensure that their problems are not exacerbated. This means that anomalies of refraction (“sight”), focussing ability, eye-muscle balance and eye movement control need to be diagnosed and, where necessary, managed or treated. This may mean spectacles with lenses or prisms and/or eye exercises.
Background Information
The alleviation of symptoms of visual stress with the use of coloured overlays or tinted lenses.
Research has shown that the symptoms of visual stress experienced by some dyslexic individuals can be reduced or alleviated with the use of tinted spectacle lenses or coloured overlays. For some, the tint in the spectacle lenses needs to be very precise in order for it to be successful.
Coloured Overlays
Coloured overlays are very useful in determining which people may benefit from Intuitive Colorimetry and the prescribing of specifically tinted spectacles. Because they are relatively inexpensive, coloured overlays are often used for screening. If the person finds the overlay helpful then it is worth carrying out Intuitive Colorimetry.
With children, optometrists will invariably want proven results with a coloured overlay before carrying out Intuitive Colorimetry. This is because children are not always reliable and are also particularly susceptible to a “placebo effect”. Optometrists only wish to prescribe tinted spectacle lenses to the minority of dyslexics who will be assisted by them. However, with adults who are usually more reliable subjectively, the optometrist may often proceed straight to Intuitive Colorimetry.
In terms of coloured overlays, some people may have discovered themselves that a transparent coloured overlay appears to help them. Others may have been screened by an educationalist.
Optometrists will use coloured overlays designed for the purpose such as the Intuitive Overlays produced by the Institute of Optometry or by Cerium Visual Technologies
P.T.L.s
Precision Tinted Spectacle Lenses
There are a number of diagnostic systems available to optometrists enabling the investigation of the effect of colour. One of the most scientific is the Intuitive Colorimeter developed by Professor Arnold Wilkins. This technique helps find the precise colour (hue) and depth of colour (saturation) characteristics of the required optimum tint. Both the Intuitive Colorimeter and any subsequently prescribed tint are manufactured by Cerium Visual Technologies.
For many patients for whom colour will help, the optimum tinted spectacle lenses will provide more help than the best-coloured overlay, so overlays should generally not be considered as the “end” but rather as a test to determine if tinted lenses will help.
Make An Appointment Today
An appointment for a Visual Assessment can be arranged by contacting the practice… you don’t need to be referred by your GP.