Visual Stress & Colorimetry
Tailored, evidence-led relief for visual stress and reading discomfort in our Hove branch.
If you or your child experience eyestrain, headaches, or moving words when reading, you may be affected by visual stress. At Taylor-West & Co, our Visual Stress & Colourimetry Service combines advanced clinical assessment with precision tint testing to help reduce discomfort and make reading calmer, clearer and more comfortable.
What is Visual Stress?
Visual stress (sometimes called pattern glare, Meares–Irlen syndrome, or pattern-related visual stress) is a condition where the brain struggles to process visual information from high-contrast, repetitive patterns such as lines of text.
Common symptoms include:
Eyes that feel tired or uncomfortable after reading
Words that move, blur, shimmer or double, or difficultly following lines on a page
Needing frequent breaks or losing focus easily
Headaches or pain in or around the eyes
Sensitivity to light or bright environments
Improved reading comfort when using a coloured overlay
For migraine sufferers, reduced frequency or severity of attacks with tinted lenses
Is Visual stress the same as dyslexia?
Visual stress is not the same as dyslexia, although they can co-occur. In some people with dyslexia, visual stress may make reading even harder. Colour tints do not “cure” dyslexia, but they can ease discomfort and make reading less tiring.
Who Might Benefit from a Visual Stress Assessment
Children or adults who struggle with reading comfort or speed
People who experience headaches, eye strain or fatigue when reading
Anyone who has found coloured overlays helpful at school or elsewhere
Migraine sufferers with visual or light-sensitive triggers
Individuals whose symptoms persist despite a normal eye test
The Science Behind Colour & Visual Stress
Research suggests that in some people, high-contrast patterns overstimulate sensitive nerve cells in the visual part of the brain. This can lead to symptoms like blurring, glare and text that appears to move.
By changing the colour of light entering the eye, precision tints can help calm the visual system and reduce this overstimulation. Brain imaging studies have shown that, for some individuals, the correct tint can normalise brain activity and reduce discomfort.
Coloured filters are also used in some cases of migraine, helping to reduce the intensity of pattern-related visual triggers.
Colour treatment doesn’t work for everyone, but for those it does help, the improvement can be life-changing.
Balances Contrast
Calms overactive visual processing by softening harsh patterns
Stabilises Vision
Makes words appear steadier and more comfortable to look at.
Extends reading comfort
Allows longer periods of reading without strain.
Relieves light sensitivity
Reduces glare in bright or fluorescent lighting.
Eases migraine triggers
Helps prevent visual patterns from setting off headaches.
Our Approach: Comprehensive, Evidence-Led and Tailored
Many practices offer a quick overlay test followed by colourimetry. We take things further. Our assessment is designed to identify the true cause of visual discomfort and ensure that any colour solution genuinely helps.
Step 1: Comprehensive Eye Examination & Binocular Vision Assessment
We begin with a full eye health check to rule out or manage any underlying issues. This includes:
- Retinal imaging (OCT and Optos fundus photography)
- Prescription check and ocular health assessment
- Detailed binocular vision testing (eye alignment, focusing, and eye movement)
Many visual stress symptoms overlap with eye coordination problems, so it’s vital to identify and treat these first.
Step 2: Cycloplegic Refraction (when needed)
Step 3: Overlay Assessment
We test a wide range of coloured overlays to measure reading comfort and speed with and without colour.
If a particular overlay gives a clear benefit, we’ll provide one to take home for several weeks. This real-world trial confirms whether the improvement continues outside the clinic before moving on to tinted lenses.
Step 4: Colourimetry & Tint Prescription
What to Expect
Duration
The initial assessment takes around one hour (or two hours if cycloplegic refraction is indicated).
Take-home overlay
You’ll be given an overlay to use at home for a few weeks.
Follow-up session
If helpful, you’ll return for the colourimetry assessment and can then order your personalised tinted lenses
Ongoing care
We’ll review your comfort and make adjustments as needed to ensure your tint works well in different lighting.
Why Our Approach Stands Out
- Every patient receives a complete, in-depth eye and binocular vision assessment.
- We validate results in real life before prescribing any tint.
- Colorimetry is only carried out after confirmed benefit.
- Tints are individually refined, never generic or off-the-shelf.
- We provide ongoing review and adjustments to maintain long-term comfort.
Things to Bear in Mind
Strong tints may subtly change colour perception, although precision tints minimise this.
Some people need an adjustment period to get used to wearing tinted lenses.
The best tint can change over time or in different lighting, and can be fine-tuned if needed.
For some, particularly when symptoms stem from eye focusing or alignment, colour may offer limited benefit.