When it comes to managing Dyslexia, a range of interventions and tools are available, and among them, coloured glasses are often touted as a potential solution. But do they actually work? For individuals with Dyslexia, reading can be an overwhelming challenge due to decoding, fluency, and visual processing issues. Many people believe that coloured lenses can improve reading experiences and alleviate some of these difficulties. In this blog, we’ll dive into what coloured glasses are, how they’re thought to help, and whether there’s scientific evidence to support their use for Dyslexia.
What are coloured glasses?
Coloured glasses or tinted lenses are specially designed eyewear with different-coloured lenses, ranging from yellow and blue to pink and green. These glasses are said to work by altering the way light enters the eyes, which, in turn, is believed to reduce visual stress or discomfort, enhance contrast, and make reading easier.
The theory behind the use of coloured lenses for Dyslexia is based on the idea that certain colours of light might help reduce the “visual distortions” often reported by individuals with Dyslexia. These distortions can make letters or words appear to move, blur, or jumble together, a phenomenon known as visual stress. The belief is that by wearing coloured glasses, this visual discomfort can be minimised, making reading easier and more efficient.
How coloured glasses are thought to help
People with Dyslexia often struggle with visual processing, which can cause words or letters to appear distorted. This can make reading difficult and tiring. Coloured glasses are thought to help in the following ways:
- Reducing Visual Stress: some individuals with Dyslexia report experiencing a sense of visual discomfort, such as words or letters seeming to shift, move, or blur. Coloured lenses are believed to reduce this visual stress by adjusting the amount of light that enters the eyes, improving contrast, and stabilising the text on the page.
- Improving Contrast Sensitivity: Dyslexia can make distinguishing between certain letters or words difficult, especially in low-light conditions or when there’s a lot of visual clutter. Tinted lenses might enhance contrast, making distinguishing between letters and words easier.
- Enhancing Focus and Attention: Colored lenses may help individuals with Dyslexia maintain better visual focus. By filtering out certain wavelengths of light, the lenses may help minimise distractions and improve concentration on reading tasks.
Does the science support colored glasses for dyslexia?
While the idea of using coloured glasses for Dyslexia sounds promising, the evidence supporting their effectiveness is mixed. Let’s examine the research.
1. Limited Scientific Evidence
Several studies have explored the potential benefits of coloured lenses for individuals with Dyslexia, but the results have been inconclusive. Some small studies have suggested that tinted lenses may provide short-term relief for certain symptoms, such as visual stress and reading fluency, but these effects are not always consistent across different individuals.
For example, some individuals report improvement in reading speed and comprehension when using coloured lenses, while others feel no difference at all. The variation in response suggests that coloured lenses may help some individuals with Dyslexia but not everyone.
2. Placebo Effect
Some researchers argue that the perceived improvements from wearing coloured lenses may be due to a placebo effect. In other words, individuals may believe that the glasses are helping them, boosting their performance. This psychological effect can be powerful, but it doesn’t necessarily prove that the lenses are having a direct, biological impact on reading ability.
3. Individual Variability
The most important factor to consider is that Dyslexia is a highly individual condition. What works for one person may not work for another. People with Dyslexia have different underlying causes and experiences of the disorder, so the effect of coloured lenses can vary widely from one person to the next. Some may find that tinted lenses offer significant relief, while others may not notice any change at all.
4. No Long-Term Data
While some individuals may experience short-term improvements in reading with coloured lenses, there’s limited long-term evidence to suggest that the glasses provide lasting benefits. For individuals who struggle with reading and writing due to Dyslexia, using coloured lenses may help at the moment, but they may still require more comprehensive and long-term interventions, such as structured literacy programs, specialised tutoring, and multisensory learning strategies.
Alternatives and additional interventions
While coloured glasses might temporarily relieve visual stress, they are not a standalone solution for managing Dyslexia. Many other strategies and interventions can make a significant difference in the lives of individuals with Dyslexia, including:
Structured Literacy Programs
These programs are specifically designed to help individuals with Dyslexia improve their reading, writing, and spelling skills. Programs like Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, and Barton focus on teaching phonics, decoding skills, and comprehension in a structured and systematic way.
Assistive Technology
Tools like text-to-speech software, audiobooks, and digital reading aids can provide valuable support for individuals with Dyslexia. These technologies can help with reading comprehension and reduce the frustration that comes with traditional reading methods.
Multisensory Learning
Engaging multiple senses—such as sight, sound, and touch—can enhance learning for individuals with Dyslexia. Techniques like tracing letters, manipulatives, or colour-coded systems can help reinforce reading skills in a more interactive and engaging way.
Vision Therapy
Vision therapy may help address visual tracking or eye coordination issues that can complicate reading for some individuals. However, vision therapy is typically more focused on treating binocular vision problems (like eye alignment) rather than Dyslexia itself.
Conclusion: Should you try coloured glasses for dyslexia?
The evidence supporting their effectiveness is not definitive, and they should be seen as a supplementary tool rather than a primary treatment. It’s important for individuals with Dyslexia to explore a range of interventions, such as structured literacy programs and assistive technologies, that have proven efficacy in improving reading skills.
Suppose you or someone you know is considering using coloured glasses for Dyslexia. In that case, it’s worth discussing the option with a healthcare provider, such as an optometrist or Dyslexia specialist, who can help assess whether this approach might be beneficial based on individual needs. Ultimately, the most effective approach to managing Dyslexia is a personalised one that combines various strategies to address both the visual and cognitive challenges associated with the condition.
Coloured glasses may offer a helpful tool for some, but they are just one part of the broader picture of support and intervention that can help individuals with Dyslexia thrive.
Contact us or Book a Dyslexia Assessment to understand your child’s learning needs.
