Visual stress can cause discomfort, difficulty reading and problems with concentration, particularly during tasks involving dense text or prolonged near work. At Parkhurst & Co., we offer Visual Stress Assessments to determine whether tinted spectacle lenses may help reduce these symptoms.

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A visual stress assessment is not an eye test. It is a specialised appointment carried out after a routine eye examination to identify whether colour can make reading more comfortable.

👁️ What’s Included in a Visual Stress Assessment

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Your assessment will be carried out by a qualified optometrist with experience in identifying the signs and symptoms associated with visual stress.

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Your appointment may include:

• Detailed discussion of symptoms

• Evaluation of reading comfort and speed

• Testing with a range of coloured overlays

• Assessment of visual distortions or discomfort during reading

• Determining whether colour provides a measurable improvement

• Guidance on coloured overlays or custom-tinted spectacle lenses if beneficial

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Every assessment is personalised to ensure we understand the nature of your symptoms and whether colour could offer relief.

Typical symptoms include:​

• Words appearing to move, blur or jump on the page

• Glare or brightness from white backgrounds

• Lines of text appearing to swirl, fade or distort

• Eye strain or tired eyes when reading

• Headaches during or after near work

• Losing place on the page or skipping lines

• Difficulty concentrating when reading

• Slow or effortful reading

• Sensitivity to certain patterns or black-and-white contrast

• Needing frequent breaks during reading or writing

• Reversing letters or numbers (sometimes reported)

• Reduced comprehension due to visual discomfort