Visual stress

Author: Murray Reyburn
Published: April 21, 2026
Last reviewed by: Leightons Clinical Team
Last reviewed: April 23, 2026

If you find reading uncomfortable, notice words moving on the page, or feel strain when looking at patterns or screens, you may be experiencing visual stress.

Visual stress is a common but often overlooked condition that can affect how comfortable your vision feels, particularly when reading or focusing for longer periods. With the right support, it can often be managed effectively, helping you feel more relaxed and confident in your day-to-day vision.

If your symptoms are linked to light or contrast, you may also find it helpful to explore how tinted lenses can improve visual comfort and clarity.

 

What is visual stress?

Visual stress, sometimes referred to as Meares-Irlen syndrome, affects how the brain processes visual information. It is not a problem with your eyesight itself, but rather how your eyes and brain work together when looking at text, patterns or bright environments.

People with visual stress often find that certain visual tasks feel overwhelming or uncomfortable, even if their vision has been tested and appears normal.

 

Common symptoms of visual stress

Visual stress can present in different ways, and symptoms may vary from person to person. You may notice:

  • Words appearing to move, blur or distort on the page
  • Difficulty tracking lines of text when reading
  • Sensitivity to bright light or glare
  • Headaches or eye strain when reading or using screens
  • Letters or patterns appearing to flicker or shimmer
  • Reduced concentration when reading for longer periods

These symptoms can make everyday tasks feel more tiring, particularly in environments with bright lighting or high contrast.

 

What causes visual stress?

The exact cause of visual stress is not always clear, but it is linked to how the brain processes visual patterns and contrast.

High contrast patterns, such as black text on a white page, can sometimes feel overwhelming for the visual system. This can lead to discomfort, distortion or fatigue when reading or focusing for extended periods.

Visual stress is often noticed in both children and adults, particularly when reading feels difficult or tiring. It is sometimes associated with conditions such as dyslexia, although the two are not the same.

 

Visual stress vs light sensitivity: what’s the difference?

Visual stress and light sensitivity can feel similar, but they are not the same.

  • Light sensitivity (photophobia) is typically linked to brightness and discomfort from light itself
  • Visual stress is more closely related to patterns, contrast and how visual information is processed

Some people experience both, which is why a thorough assessment is important to understand what is affecting your vision.

 

Can tinted lenses help with visual stress?

For many people, tinted lenses can make a noticeable difference to visual comfort.

Carefully selected colours can help reduce the intensity of contrast and visual patterns, allowing your eyes to feel more relaxed when reading or using screens. This can make text appear more stable and easier to follow.

The effect of colour is highly individual, which is why it is important to find the right tint for you rather than choosing a general option.

Colour selection is typically guided through a visual stress assessment*. During an appointment, you may be shown a range of coloured overlays or lenses and asked to read or focus on text, helping you experience which tones feel most comfortable.

Explore the different colours and types of tinted lenses to understand how each option works.

 

What is a visual stress test?

At Leightons, there are two main types of visual stress assessment, designed to understand how your eyes respond to colour and contrast.

  • Coloured overlay assessment: Different coloured overlays are placed over text to identify which makes reading feel more comfortable. Any improvement is measured using a standardised reading test. If effective, you may get specialised, custom-tinted lenses to use for reading and school/work.
  • Colorimetry: A more advanced assessment using a specialist device to identify the precise tint or colour combination needed to reduce visual stress. This allows for the prescription of precision-tinted lenses tailored to your individual visual response.

Before considering a visual stress assessment, it is important to have a comprehensive eye examination. This allows us to check your overall eye health and ensure your symptoms are not being caused by something else, such as:

  • A prescription change
  • Eye strain
  • Another underlying eye condition

If appropriate, we can then guide you through a visual stress assessment to explore whether coloured lenses may help improve your comfort and clarity.

 

Managing visual stress in everyday life

There are several ways to help reduce the impact of visual stress in your daily routine:

  • Use softer, more consistent lighting
  • Reduce glare from screens
  • Take regular breaks when reading or working
  • Adjust screen settings or use coloured backgrounds

For many people, the most effective support comes from personalised solutions such as coloured overlays or tinted lenses tailored to your visual needs.

If your symptoms are linked to screen use, it may also help to compare blue light vs tinted lenses to understand which option is most suitable.

 

When should you seek advice?

If reading feels uncomfortable, or if symptoms are affecting your concentration or confidence, it is worth having your eyes assessed.

The best place to start is with a full eye examination. This allows us to understand your vision in detail and rule out any underlying causes.

From there, we can guide you towards the most appropriate support, including whether tinted lenses or a colourimetry assessment may be beneficial.

Book your eye test today.

 

* Please note that not all Leightons practices offer coloured overlay assessments or colourimetry. Please contact your local branch to confirm availability.

FAQs

Visual stress is a condition that affects how the brain processes visual information, often causing discomfort when reading or looking at patterns.

Yes, visual stress can affect both children and adults, particularly during reading or screen use.

Possibly. Specially selected tinted lenses can help reduce contrast and improve visual comfort for some people. A coloured overlay assessment, and where appropriate colourimetry, can help determine whether tinted lenses are likely to be beneficial for you.

Colorimetry is an assessment used to identify whether a specific coloured spectacle lens may help reduce symptoms of visual stress.

A coloured overlay assessment is slightly different. It involves placing coloured sheets over text to see if this improves comfort when reading, typically while wearing clear spectacles.

Both assessments help us understand how your eyes respond to colour, so we can recommend the most appropriate option for your visual comfort.

No, they are separate conditions, although they can sometimes occur together. Some people with dyslexia find that coloured lenses or overlays can help improve visual comfort when reading.

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Photophobia (Light Sensitivity)
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In some cases, normal levels of light can feel too bright, causing discomfort, eye strain or the need to look away. Light sensitivity can affect one or both eyes and may be temporary or longer-lasting, depending on the cause.   Common symptoms of light sensitivity What does light sensitivity feel like? People experience photophobia in different ways. Common symptoms include: Discomfort or pain in bright light Squinting or needing to close your eyes Headaches triggered by light Watery eyes Difficulty focusing in bright environments Increased sensitivity when using screens If these symptoms are persistent or worsening, it is important to have your eyes assessed. You may also notice overlap with eye strain symptoms or visual stress, particularly if discomfort is linked to reading or screen use.   What causes light sensitivity? There are several possible causes of light sensitivity, ranging from mild and temporary to more complex conditions. 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