Meares-Irlen Lenses
Our Services
What is Meares-Irlen Syndrome?
Some children and adults experience unusual visual symptoms when reading, even though they may have otherwise healthy eyes and clear vision. Words may appear to move, blur, shimmer or jump on the page. White paper can seem uncomfortably bright, making reading tiring and leading to eye strain, headaches or difficulty concentrating. These symptoms may be associated with Meares-Irlen Syndrome or Pattern Glare. These symptoms can make reading uncomfortable, tiring or visually difficult.
Visual symptoms during reading can have several causes, so a comprehensive eye examination is important before considering tinted lenses. This allows us to identify any eyesight, focusing or eye coordination problems that may need to be addressed first.
Who may benefit from a Meares-Irlen appointment?
You may benefit from an assessment if you or your child experiences:
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Words that appear to move, blur or shimmer
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Glare or discomfort from white pages
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Losing your place while reading
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Eye strain or headaches during reading
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Reading that becomes tiring or requires frequent breaks
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Difficulty concentrating on printed text despite having an up-to-date glasses prescription
These symptoms can occur even when a routine eye examination is normal.
Some people who respond to colour may experience:
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Improve visual comfort while reading
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Reduce glare from white pages
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Make text appear clearer and more stable
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Reduce eye strain and reading-related headaches
Because every person's visual system is different, the most effective tint is unique to each individual.
It is important to note that Meares-Irlen lenses are not suitable for every type of reading difficulty. A comprehensive assessment helps determine whether tinted lenses are likely to provide benefit.
How does a Meares-Irlen Assessment work?
The first step is a comprehensive eye examination to assess your vision and rule out other possible causes of reading difficulties, such as an uncorrected prescription or binocular vision problems. If Meares-Irlen Syndrome is suspected, we'll provide a coloured overlay for you to trial at home. This allows you to experience whether the overlay reduces visual discomfort and improves your reading before proceeding with further assessment.
If the trial is beneficial, you'll return for a detailed assessment using the Intuitive Colorimeter. This specialised instrument enables us to precisely identify the tint that provides the greatest improvement in visual comfort. If an effective tint is identified, your results are used to create a pair of custom Tech Tinted Lenses. With over 6,700 tint variations available, the colour selected during your assessment can be accurately reproduced, ensuring your lenses are individually manufactured to meet the unique requirements of your visual system.
What are Tech Tinted Lenses?
Tech Tinted Lenses are custom-made spectacle lenses designed to match the specific tint identified during your Intuitive Colorimeter assessment.
Unlike standard coloured lenses, Tech Tinted Lenses use advanced tinting technology to accurately reproduce your personalised colour prescription, providing a precise and individualised solution for visual comfort while reading.
Personalised Care Every Step of the Way
Reading difficulties can have many different causes, which is why we take the time to understand your symptoms before recommending treatment.
Our process is designed to identify whether your symptoms may be consistent with visual stress and whether colour provides a noticeable improvement in comfort. If another visual issue is identified, we'll guide you towards the most appropriate treatment option for your individual needs.
Words Moving? Text Shimmering? Reading Tiring? Losing Your Place?
If you or your child experiences visual discomfort while reading, we'd be happy to help explore whether visual stress may be contributing to their symptoms
Contact Wanganui Eyecare to arrange a comprehensive eye examination and discuss whether a Meares-Irlen assessment is right for you.
Have questions? We're here to help
Explore answers to common questions about Meares-Irlen Syndrome, assessments and custom tinted lenses.
No. Meares-Irlen Syndrome and dyslexia are different conditions. Dyslexia relates to difficulties with reading and language processing, while Meares-Irlen Syndrome involves visual discomfort and distortions when viewing text.
Some people with dyslexia may also experience visual stress symptoms, such as glare, words appearing to move, or discomfort when reading. In these cases, tinted lenses may help improve visual comfort, but they do not treat dyslexia itself.
No. While Meares-Irlen lenses are tinted, the colour is individually selected following assessment rather than choosing a tint for appearance or general glare reduction. Where a specific tint is found to improve visual comfort, it can be reproduced in a custom Tech Tinted Lens.
Yes. If you require prescription lenses, the personalised tint can usually be incorporated into your spectacle lenses.
Children may not always be able to explain visual discomfort. Signs can include avoiding reading, becoming tired quickly when reading, losing their place, rubbing their eyes, complaining of headaches, or finding bright white pages uncomfortable.
Yes. While often discussed in relation to children and learning, adults can also experience visual stress symptoms. Some adults may have experienced reading discomfort, headaches or visual sensitivity for many years without knowing there was an assessment option available.
This depends on the individual and when symptoms occur. Some people primarily use them for reading, studying or screen-based tasks, while others may prefer to wear them more regularly.