ReadEZ PRO is designed to help Teachers, Educational Psychologists, Optometrists, Orthoptists and others educational and eye care professionals, diagnose and manage Visual Stress (sometimes known as Meares-Irlen syndrome or Irlen Syndrome).
Visual Stress is thought to be caused by unusual activity in certain groups of cells in the visual areas of the brain – similar to visual migraine. Sufferers complain of a range of symptoms when looking at regular patterns, including a passage of text. Some report that the words appear to move, wobble or flicker while others report seeing disturbing shadows or colours in the text. These symptoms make it uncomfortable to read for any length of time which can result in a delay in the development of reading skills. It is estimated that approximately 20% of the population suffer from Visual Stress to some degree. In some cases the symptoms are mild while for others, they have a marked effect on reading fluency and can even lead to headaches and migraines.
The good news is that the symptoms can often be reduced by using a coloured overlay, coloured lenses or by changing the background colour of the screen or tablet that you are looking at.
The ReadEZ system was originally developed by vision scientists at City University London and consists of a range of software to diagnose the condition and various solutions to help relieve the symptoms. ReadEZ PRO is designed to determine if a patient/client/child suffers from Visual Stress and if so, which colour is most effective in terms of reducing the symptoms.
ReadEZ PRO uses established protocols to measure baseline symptoms and reading fluency under normal conditions and then determines if colour can help reduce symptoms and improve reading speed and fluency. It includes a database to manage results for an unlimited number of tests and produces clear graphical results indicating the potential benefits of colour. Overlays and coloured lenses can then be ordered directly through the app.
How it works
The client or patient is added to the database. Clients can be organised into different schools or organisations.
ReadEZ PRO first shows a passage of text against a white background. The size and spacing of the words can be varied to maximise any symptoms of Visual Stress.
The client is then asked to rate how severe the baseline symptoms are using a simple questionnaire.
ReadEZ PRO then performs a baseline test of reading fluency. The client is asked to read a passage of text aloud for one minute. The examiner records the number of errors made and taps on the last word that is read. This automatically records the reading speed (words/minute).
The client views a passage of text while the examiner selects a range of background colours. The client is asked to report which colour (if any) minimises their symptoms.
The client is then asked to rate their symptoms again, but this time with their preferred colour in the background.
ReadEZ PRO then repeats the test of reading fluency with the client’s preferred colour.
ReadEZ PRO then analyses the result to determine if there is any change in the client’s symptoms or reading fluency.
If colour is found to help, a coloured overlay or coloured lenses with the preferred colour can be purchased directly from the app.
For further information about Visual Stress and other ReadEZ products, please visit our website at https://www.readez.co.uk/