Research: Visual stress management, including for those with visual discomfort in neurodivergence such as ADHD, autism and dyslexia.

Content here includes observational studies, experimental studies and reviews.

Research has demonstrated that personalised colour interventions can improve visual comfort and other visual experiences for some individuals. However, responses to colour vary, and further research is ongoing. An individual assessment is key to understanding whether precision tinted lenses may be helpful for each person.

UNDERSTANDING VISUAL DISCOMFORT AND VISUAL STRESS

Paul B Hibbard, Peter Allen, Jordi Asher, Katherine Batey, Beverley Burke, Jason J. Braithwaite Geoff Cole, Caelan Dow , Bruce J.W. Evans, Anna Franklin, Sarah M. Haigh, Hillevi Hemphälä, Ian Hosking, Andrew Keyes, Chan-su Lee, Ute Leonards, Cathy Manning, John Maule, Naomi Miller, Karen Monet, Louise O’Hare, Olivier Penacchio, Gordon T. Plant, Georgie Powell, Alice Price, Andrew Schofield, Miroslav Slouka, Petroc Sumner, Cleo Valentine, Thomas Wilcockson, Sanae Yoshimoto, and Arnold J. Wilkins

Vision Volume 10 Issue 2 (2026)

A Cerebral Basis for Visual Discomfort and Visual Stress

This review explores visual discomfort and visual stress, and a proposed mechanism underlying these experiences.

We explore why some individuals experience discomfort or difficulty in certain visual environments, including when viewing certain patterns, lighting conditions or digital displays. We propose that these symptoms may arise because some modern visual environments contain spatial, colour and temporal characteristics that the human visual system processes less efficiently than the natural environments in which it evolved. This inefficient processing may provide a cerebral explanation for why some individuals are particularly susceptible to visual discomfort.

Visual discomfort affects many people but is particularly common in individuals with heightened sensory sensitivities, including many neurodivergent individuals. We discuss two complementary approaches to improving visual comfort: reducing visually stressful environments through better design, and providing personalised optical interventions, such as precision tinted lenses, where appropriate. The review also highlights the need for collaboration between neuroscience, vision science, architecture, typography and design to create more visually accessible and inclusive environments.

MIGRAINE

Vieira, A. van der Linde, I., Bright, P. and Wilkins, A.

Preference for lighting chromaticity in migraine with aura

Headache, 60(6):1124-1131.I (2020)

This study explored lighting colour preferences in individuals who experience migraine with aura for visual comfort when reading. Whilst healthy individuals prefer light similar to daylight and most electric lighting, migraineurs with aura preferred strongly saturated colours and those migraineurs without aura preferred intermediate colours.

Individually selected coloured lenses improved reading performance in participants with migraine with aura, but didn’t for those without aura.

IMPACT OF MIGRAINE

Begasse de Dhaem O, Sakai F.

Adults experience lower productivity due to migraines (Migraine in the workplace eNeurological Sci, 2022 Jun 6;27:100408)

AUTISM

Whitaker, L., Jones, C.R.G. Wilkins, A.J. & Roberson, D.

Judging the intensity of emotional expression in faces: the effects of coloured tints on individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Autism Research, 9(4):450-9. Epub 2015 Jun 8.

Children with Autism showed improved judgement of the emotional intensity of facial expressions with precision tinted lenses.

Ludlow AK, Giannadou A, Franklin A, Allen PM, Simmons DR, et al. Vision Research. 2020;170:53‐59.

The possible use of precision tinted lenses to improve social cognition in children with autism spectrum disorders.

This study found that children with Autism were better at recognising social cues when wearing precision tinted lenses.

Ludlow, A.K. Taylor-Whiffen, E. and Wilkins, A.J.

Coloured filters enhance the visual perception of social cues in children with autism spectrum disorders. 298098.

ISRN Neurology, 2012,

In experimental testing, children with Autism shown coloured overlays over photographs that showed the eyes and surrounding areas increased the correct judgement of the emotion being expressed.

ADHD

BarNir, A., Shaked, H., & Tosta, S. et al

Evidence for Overlapping Visual Processing Difficulties in Adult ADHD and Visual Stress

2023

Perceptual and Motor Skills. Volume 130, Issue 5

In participants with both ADHD and symptoms of visual stress, improvements were reported in measures of attention with precision tinted lenses. Some participants no longer met ADHD diagnostic thresholds at 3-6 month follow-up. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Loew, S., & Watson, K.

The prevalence of scotopic sensitivity/Meares-Irlen syndrome in subjects diagnosed with ADHD: does misdiagnosis play a role? (Vol. 49)

2013

Whilst an older paper that uses mixed terminology, referring to Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome and Meares-Irlen Syndrome, the authors report considerable symptom overlap between ADHD and Visual Stress (Meares-Irlen Syndrome).

SENSORY SENSITIVITY & NEURODIVERGENCE

Price, A.; Oates, R.; Sumner, P.; Powell, G.

They impact my life daily and greatly: A qualitative exploration of how subjective sensory sensitivities are experienced, exacerbated, and coped with.

Neurodiversity 2025, 3, 27546330251383024.

This study explores the impact of sensory sensitivities over many categories such as everyday tasks, and relationships. Some situations and environments exacerbated difficulties. Coping strategies are also explored.

This study also showed that sensory sensitivities can occur both within and outside neurodivergent conditions.

VISUAL HYPERSENSITIVITY AND MENTAL HEALTH

Price, A.; Sumner, P.; Powell, G.

The subtypes of visual hypersensitivity are transdiagnostic across neurodivergence, neurology and mental health

Vis. Res. 2025, 234, 108640.

This study identified four subtypes of visual hypersensitivity occurring across neurodevelopmental, neurological and mental health conditions.

CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

Loew S J, Marsh NV , Watson k.

Symptoms of Meares-Irlen / Visual Stress Syndrome in subjects diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

2014

Symptoms associated with visual stress were reported more frequently in individuals with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome than in controls.

NEUROLOGY

Arnold J Wilkins,1 Bruce JW Evans2,3 and Gordon T Plant4

Headache, concussion, MS, photosensitive epilepsy, stroke, visual snow, photosensitivity

Potential Uses for Precision Tinted Lenses in a Neurology Clinic

Headache Disorders 2022

Evidence that precision tints can reduce photophobia is preliminary rather than conclusive. Individuals with ASD showed improved perception of facial expression with the use of precision tints. Some studies have reported a reduction in headache and seizures and an increase in reading speed.

CENTRAL VISION DEFECTS

Margarita Krasniakova, Tony Pansell & Jörgen Gustafsson

Impact of individualized colored spectacle filters on photophobia and visual comfort in central visual field defect patients: a one-year study

Scientific Reports volume 16, Article number: 10504 (2026)

Precision Tinted Lens use in this study found associated improvements in visual comfort and reductions in photophobia in patients with central visual field defects caused by Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy and Age-related Macular Degeneration.

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Sharon

I can not recommend Vision Through Colour hight enough! We were given their details from the Dr who completed a Neurodevelopmental assesment on our Daughter. As well as being diagnosed with ADHD and ASD the Dr also suspected she may be suffering with Visiual Stress.

I made an appointment with Vision Through Colour, The process was very straightforward and the communication was excellent with no long waiting time for an appointmnet.

The assesment itself was extremely professional, they were very accommodating to my daughters needs taking things at her pace allowing breaks when needed, even allowing her to hold a stuffed toy that they have I the office. My daughter and myself were fully infomormed at every step of the assesment as to what was happening and why. My daughter was diagnosed with visual stress and it was recommended, following the assesment that a coloured tint be added to my daughters regular glasses prescription to help her with her symptoms.

My daughter has now been wearing her new coloured prescription lenses for approximately 6 weeks and both my daughter and myself have been delighted with the results. My daughter informs me that she no longer sees coloured outlines around images and words and is able to read for longer period of time without her eyes hurting. She also say that lights are not painful to her and everything feels much calmer. Her school teachers have also reported that she is more focused in lessons and not as distracted.

My daughter loves her coloured lenses and wears them constantly and has not asked for her old glasses since she recived her new ones. If you or your child are feeling g symptoms of visual stress I would 100% recommend a vosit to Vision Through Colour for an assesmen.

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Michael

"These glasses have been a game-changer for me and I'm now reading 29% faster."

Esme

"I'm happy because now it's been solved. I'm not mixing up words or missing any lines."

Dr Tom

"My tinted lenses have improved my life in a way I didn’t know they could - and that makes me happy."

Google Review

Being able to wear my tinted lenses for Zoom meetings and to work on my computer has helped with eye strain and tiredness.

Richard

The staff are absolutely fantastic and they provide a fantastic service, would highly recommend them!

Geordie

Having Irlens Syndrome recently diagnosed I didn’t know what to do as most opticians don’t have the specialised equipment to prescribe the correct type of tinted lenses I needed to correct my issue.However after a little bit of research I discovered the amazing Andrew Keyes and his practice and they have been absolutely amazing supporting me and prescribing- as well as follow up with a genuinely caring and friendly service from start to finish. I have a whole new lease of life now I wear the correct lenses for my Irlens Syndrome eyes! Thank you SO much Andrew and Olivia and all the fantastic team

Jon

The support and service that we have received from Andrew and Katherine has been excellent. They took the time to understand our needs and the experience has been nothing other than positive and have made a real life-changing difference. We can highly recommend Vision Through Colour for any visual stress difficulties associated with Autism and ADHD.

Jacquie

An extremely professional service and very knowledgeable about visual stress and the impact it has. From our first visit with Katherine, we were made to feel welcome and valued. Our concerns regarding visual stress were acknowledged and discussed throughout the consultation visits. My son enjoyed the examination and was put at ease immediately by the team. We look forward to continuing the relationship in the years to come.

Dee

Fantastic service which I highly recommend. Very friendly and understanding of my needs as a Neurodivergent person. I found it very interesting to see the comparison in my reading prior to wearing the glasses to afterwards as it gave me a better understanding of the struggles I had been experiencing with dyslexia. The glasses prescribed with tinted lenses are extremely helpful for managing my tired eyes and headaches while increasing my ability to read without draining myself and I am less overwhelmed/drained by bright lights therefore reducing my previously constant eye strain etc.

Addrea

Staff are Friendly and helpful. The service was indepth and thorough. Would recommend.

TheGoldenMagpie

They were very kind and professional and really helped me out, my quality of life has improved a lot from my new glasses

Angie

Having coloured lenses, unique to me, to filter out all of my trigger colours has transformed my life. As a long term migraine sufferer, I used to lose days of my life, even though I had prescribed medication I regularly lost 3 days a week to migraines. Having these coloured lenses plus my medication means I can function normally. I have only lost 2 working days to migraines in the past 5 years, thanks to Keyes eye cares miraculous glasses.
Cannot recommend highly enough.

Ellen

An absolutely outstanding optician/optometrist and the highest quality service and professional standards.I am absolutely delighted by the assessments and tests I received for my visual stress issues - one of a very few specialists in the area of these issues. Such lovely welcoming staff in every part of the process.

Victoria

From the moment I arrived all the Staff were very friendly and it was a very calm environment. As an autistic adult I suffer from visual stress so I got precision tinted lenses which have made a huge difference to my work and every day life. They have even helped with travel sickness and the lights are less bright and the ground doesn't move when out walking. I wouldn't go anywhere else for my eyecare thanks to you.

Dr Jake Hutchinson

As a neuropsychologist, I always identified visual stress difficulties in myself. These difficulties have been with me since childhood and have burdened me greatly over the years, impacting every aspect of my life. As an example, having to avoid certain rooms with complex stripes and being unable to read on some days due to letters moving on the page.

While I visited numerous professionals as a teenager, nobody was able to identify an appropriate intervention that would improve my daily functioning. However, following a thorough assessment, including colorimetry, I found the Keyes team full of expert knowledge and advice. They were able to find a colour to put into a pair of frames to ease my everyday difficulties. The results have been transformative; I couldn't possibly be without my precision-tinted lenses, they have significantly transformed my life.

I cannot recommend Andrew, Katherine and the team at Vision Through Colour highly enough.

Anonymous

Fantastic service for both my children - welcoming staff that put them at ease. My son has visual stress alongside his ADHD and Autism and the whole process of getting his vision through colour glasses was stress-free- the team have so much patience and understanding of how to make neurodiverse individuals comfortable. Honestly can not recommend them enough!

Tristan

I suffer from a complex and extremely difficult-to-manage visual disability and cannot thank Andrew Keyes enough for his patience, understanding, and technical knowledge in helping me... My visual stress is extremely severe and to get the correct lenses takes a lot of time and patience, he was great (nobody else knew what the problem was or how to solve it... my GP said there was nothing they could do, the hospital examined me for tumours and gave up... Andrew knew straight away!)

James

They were more than happy to go the extra mile to ensure I was happy with the results. I'm an indecisive person but did not feel rushed at all, and with my sensory issues (related to ASD and ADHD), I was happily surprised when the lights in the test room were adjusted for my comfort, which aided me in making the correct choices, etc.

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