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What is Dyslexia?
People with specific learning difficulties have problems with certain areas of academic performance, yet do well in other subjects and are generally intelligent. The most common type of specific learning difficulty is specific reading difficulty and this is often called dyslexia.

Dyslexic children are usually poor at spelling and have difficulties with written language but seem intelligent in conversation. Leonardo da Vinci and Einstein are both thought to have been dyslexic.

Dyslexia can only be diagnosed with certainty by an Educational Psychologist who, in addition to other tests, will calculate the expected reading age from the person’s IQ and age. Comparison between expected and actual reading age gives a measure of the reading difficulty. The term dyslexia is usually reserved for the more severe degrees of difficulty.

The psychologist would also ensure that the poor reading was not secondary to other problems such as inadequate schooling or low intelligence. Psychological assessments can be arranged through your school, or privately through a local dyslexia Institute.

Visual Factors in Dyslexia
Most experts agree that problems with sight are not usually a main cause of dyslexia. Certain visual problems, however, do occur more often in dyslexia and these may, in some cases, contribute to the reading difficulty.

These vision problems would not normally be detected in a school eye test. The most common visual anomalies in dyslexia are a reduced ability to focus close to, and poor or unstable co-ordination of the two eyes. (Binocular instability). A series of tests is needed to detect binocular instability, and a modified Dunlop Test may be used as part of this assessment.

These visual problems can cause eyestrain, visual stress or visual distortions. This may slow reading and discourage children from prolonged reading and concentration. Very similar visual problems are also a trigger for migraine in some people.

Not all dyslexic people have these visual problems, but some have visual anomalies without realising it. People with mild specific reading difficulties, perhaps not bad enough to be called dyslexia, can also have these visual problems. These visual problems can usually be treated with simple eye exercises. In some cases glasses might be prescribed.

Our Eyecare for Dyslexic People
Duffy Optometrists provide a specialist service for the optometric assessment of people with specific learning difficulties, dyslexia and migraine related to visual stress.

During our vision & learning assessment we carry out a full eye examination together with specific additional tests to look for the visual problems that may be associated with dyslexia. Tests will also be performed to determine any benefit from colour. This assessment usually takes about 1hour 15 minutes. After this assessment we will write a report explaining our investigations, results and advice given.

Tinted Lenses and Dyslexia:
Visual stress and visual distortion can sometimes be relieved by prescribing coloured filters. This is to treat an anomaly of visual perception formerly called Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, but now referred to as Meares-Irlen Syndrome. If our findings suggest that a person may benefit from colour we will issue them with an overlay. If this is still being used after 6 ­ 8 weeks then a further appointment can be arranged for testing with an instrument called an intuitive colorimeter. This enables the precise tint for glasses to be determined.

This assessment is not paid for by the NHS, however is you are eligible for an NHS sight test, our fee will be reduced accordingly. The fee covers the initial assessment and report; further fees apply for tests with the Intuitive Colorimeter. Please ask reception for an up to date fees list.

Referral for Coloured lenses.
From time to time we are asked to carry out a Colorimetry assessment on patients on whom we have not carried out a full eye examination. Many such referrals come from teachers and psychologists, but a significant number also come from optometrists, opticians, orthoptists and ophthalmologists. In some cases patients or their parents, and even the referring practitioner express surprise that we insist upon performing a full eye examination first.

Our policy is based upon the fact that we have, over the years, seen patients referred for Colorimetry who upon investigation are found to have a variety of previously undiscovered visual problems such as binocular instability. If a patient with one of these problems were prescribed tinted lenses instead of a more appropriate treatment then, as the last person to see the patient, it would be our responsibility for administering the wrong treatment.

We hope that you do not feel that it is unreasonable for us to carry out a full and thorough eye examination of every patient referred to us. We can appreciate why some practitioners might feel that we are being too thorough and will be repeating some of the tests that they have already done. Whilst this will undoubtedly be true for some tests, others will be original, and for all tests we will interpret the results according to our knowledge of the role of visual function in specific learning difficulties, dyslexia and migraine.

Vision and learning assessments can be booked at reception, a deposit is required when booking these appointments.