If you or your child experience reading difficulties such as words appearing to move or blur, headaches when reading, losing your place on the page, or glare from text, a comprehensive eye examination can help identify visual factors that may contribute to discomfort. Many people searching for a “dyslexia eye test” or “dyslexia sight test” are looking for precisely this: an eye test to check for visual problems that may affect reading, including visual stress.
Important: Optometrists do not diagnose or treat dyslexia. Dyslexia is diagnosed by qualified specialist teachers/assessors or psychologists. Our role is to assess and manage eye and visual function to manage factors that may coexist with dyslexia or other reading difficulties and affect reading comfort and performance.
To make an appointment simply call us on 020 7713 7713 or send an email to: info@zackseyes.co.uk
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that primarily affects reading and spelling, often linked with challenges in phonological processing and verbal memory. It occurs across all intelligence levels and is distinct from vision problems, though some individuals with dyslexia also experience visual stress or binocular vision issues that can make reading less comfortable.
How Zacks London Eye Clinic Examination Helps
We frequently see patients (children and adults) who have dyslexia or other learning difficulties and report visual symptoms when reading. While we cannot diagnose dyslexia, we do assess factors such as binocular control, focusing (accommodation), and visual stress that may affect reading comfort.
Common symptoms include eyestrain and headaches together with visual distortions like movement, fading or blurring of print. Children may not always report these symptoms because they assume they are normal.
Reading and Leaning difficulties eye test
Our reading and learning‑difficulties eye test describes a series of investigations in addition to a routine eye examination to evaluate these issues.
We recommend regular sight tests for all children. A thorough eye examination is important to rule out unrelated visual problems such as uncorrected refractive error or ocular pathology and to ensure normal visual development, before considering any additional interventions.
Binocular Vision and Reading Difficulties
Where concerns remain after the routine exam, further tests can assess weaknesses in focusing or binocular control, and where appropriate evaluate whether colour (overlays or tints) influences reading comfort.
Research reports associations between certain binocular vision problems and specific learning difficulties. Difficulties can include sustaining close focus, changing focus between distances, or keeping the eyes well aligned (convergence/divergence). Targeted exercises and/or spectacles may improve visual comfort and support reading performance when clinically indicated.
Colour Overlays and Tints
Some individuals with symptoms of visual stress report symptom relief with coloured overlays or precision tints such as ChromaGen lenses. Visual stress appears to affect a minority of people with learning difficulties, and the evidence base is mixed; we discuss potential benefits, limitations and alternatives openly so you can make an informed choice.
What We Assess in Your Eye Examination
What We Do Not Do
Our Assessment Pathway (What to Expect)
History & symptoms:
reading comfort, headaches, light sensitivity, school/work demands, prior assessments.
Comprehensive eye examination:
including sight test, refraction, ocular health, binocular vision, accommodation & convergence, eye movement testing.
Reading & visual comfort checks:
where indicated, measuring reading speed with and without proposed interventions.
Results & recommendations:
Other links:
External information:
For more information on dyslexia, please see NHS dyslexia advice or contact the British Dyslexia Association.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer a “dyslexia eye test” or “dyslexia sight test”?
We provide a comprehensive eye examination to identify visual factors that may affect reading. We do not diagnose dyslexia.
Can glasses or coloured lenses treat dyslexia?
No. Glasses or coloured lenses may address refractive or visual stress symptoms for some individuals, but they do not treat dyslexia.
Is this covered by the NHS?
No. At Zacks London Eye Clinic, we only provide this service privately.
Book an Eye Examination (London)
Make reading more comfortable by ensuring your vision is not part of the problem.
Call 020 7713 7713 or email info@zackseyes.co.uk to schedule your eye test for reading and learning difficulties in London.
If you would like more information on eye sight tests for reading difficulties, Children’s eye examinations or other specialist consultations please contact us to make an appointment at our London practice.
‘Putting on the new prescriptions for the 1st time was fantastic, no more eye strain. A relief!’
Edward Radcliffe
Clinical Excellence in the Heart of Central London
Zacks London Eye Clinic is an independent practice in Fitzrovia, specialising in advanced diagnostic care for patients across Bloomsbury, Marylebone, and wider London. Tucked away in the quiet, secluded Warren Mews, our clinic offers a peaceful retreat from the surrounding city bustle, providing the ideal setting for focused, detailed eye examinations and consultations. Easily reachable via excellent transport links at Warren Street, Great Portland Street, and Euston Square, we invite you to experience a level of clinical precision that puts your eye health first.
