Tinted lenses and coloured overlays
A195
It has been claimed that tinted lenses can treat a condition called visual stress, which affects some people with specific learning difficulties, but this remains controversial. 72, 73, 74, 75 76, 77, 78 Optometrists who practise in this area report that some patients find these interventions help to alleviate visual symptoms, but you should not claim that these interventions treat specific learning difficulties. (Guidance for eye care professionals on publicity concerning dyslexia, visual stress, and related conditions is available.)79
A196
You should explain this to the patient because interventions carry a cost in terms of expense, time, and raised expectations, and parents and patients might be vulnerable to the suggestion that any intervention may help.
A197
A Delphi study of optometrists with experience in this field has led to proposed diagnostic criteria for visual stress.80 These may help to reduce the risk of over-prescribing coloured filters.
References
72 Griffiths PG, Taylor RH, Henderson LM et al (2016) The effect of coloured overlays and lenses on reading: a systematic review of the literature. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics 36(5), 519-544 [Accessed 1 Nov 2023]73 Evans BJW (2017) Coloured filters and reading: reasons for an open mind. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics 37(1),105-107 [Accessed 1 Nov 2023]
74 Wilkins AJ (2017) Risk of bias in assessing risk of bias. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics 37(1),107-109 [Accessed 1 Nov 2023]
75 Griffiths PG, Taylor RH, Henderson LM et al (2017) Authors’ response. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics 37(1),109-112 [Accessed 1 Nov 2023]
76 Evans BJW and Allen PM (2016) A systematic review of controlled trials on visual stress using Intuitive Overlays or the Intuitive Colorimeter. Journal of Optometry 9(4), 205-218 [Accessed 1 Nov 2023]
77 Griffiths PG, Taylor RH, Henderson LM et al (2017) Letter to the Editor concerning “A systematic review of controlled trials on visual stress using intuitive overlays or colorimeter”. Journal of Optometry 10(3) 199-200 [Accessed 1 Nov 2023]
78 Evans BJW and Allen PM (2017) Reply to Letter to the Editor by Griffiths et al. commenting on Evans & Allen. Journal of Optometry 10(3), 200-202: [Accessed 1 Nov 2023]
79 Evans,B.J.W., Allen, P.M. and Wilkins, A.J.(2017). A Delphi study to develop practical diagnostic guidelines for visual stress (pattern-related visual stress) Journal of Optometry 10(3), 161-168 [Accessed 1 Nov 2023]
80 Guidance for eye care professionals on publicity concerning dyslexia, visual stress, and related conditions [Accessed 1 Nov 2023]