Eye Zen
眼静
Dyslexia
Visual Discomfort When Reading
Understanding Dyslexia, Vision and Reading-Related Visual Symptoms
What Is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects skills involved in reading, spelling and processing written language.
It is not caused by poor eyesight, and having dyslexia does not necessarily mean there is something wrong with the eyes.
A person with dyslexia may have completely normal eyesight.
However, someone with dyslexia can also have an unrelated refractive error, binocular vision problem or other visual difficulty — just like anyone else.
For this reason, it is important to distinguish between dyslexia itself and visual symptoms that occur during reading.
At Eye Zen Optical in Singapore, our role is not to diagnose or treat dyslexia. Our optical focus is to identify and address appropriate refractive and spectacle-related factors that may affect visual clarity or comfort.
Dyslexia Is Not the Same as a Vision Problem
Reading is a complex process involving the eyes, brain, language and learning.
The eyes capture visual information, but understanding written words requires the brain to recognise and process language.
Dyslexia primarily affects this language-processing aspect of reading.
Therefore:
Glasses do not cure dyslexia.
Correcting an eye prescription can help someone see text clearly when refractive error is present, but it does not treat the underlying learning difficulty.
This distinction is important when discussing vision and dyslexia.
Can Someone With Dyslexia Also Have a Vision Problem?
Yes.
A person with dyslexia can also have:
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Binocular vision difficulties
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Presbyopia in adulthood
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Other visual or eye-health conditions
These conditions are separate from dyslexia.
If someone with dyslexia also has an uncorrected refractive error, appropriate spectacles may improve visual clarity.
If another visual problem is present, appropriate professional assessment can determine what additional management may be required.
However, correcting these visual problems should not be described as treating dyslexia itself.
What Is Visual Discomfort When Reading?
Some people experience uncomfortable visual symptoms during prolonged reading or screen use.
These symptoms may occur in people with or without dyslexia.
Possible complaints include:
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Eye strain
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Tired eyes
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Headaches associated with prolonged visual tasks
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Difficulty maintaining comfortable focus
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Blurred vision
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Intermittent double vision
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Difficulty concentrating visually for long periods
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Losing one's place while reading
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Difficulty changing focus between distances
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Visual discomfort during prolonged computer use
These symptoms can have many possible causes.
They should not automatically be attributed to dyslexia or to a binocular vision problem.
“The Words Move When I Read” — Is That Dyslexia?
Some people describe words as appearing to:
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Move
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Jump
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Shake
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Blur
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Double
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Become difficult to track
These experiences are sometimes described broadly as “visual dyslexia.”
However, symptoms such as moving or doubling text should not automatically be assumed to be caused by dyslexia.
Visual symptoms can have different possible explanations, and persistent symptoms should be appropriately assessed.
For example, blurred text could be associated with refractive error, while genuine double vision may require investigation of binocular vision or other possible causes.
The symptom should therefore be investigated rather than labelled based on dyslexia alone.
Dyslexia and Binocular Vision
Binocular vision describes how the two eyes work together as a coordinated visual system.
Reading requires the eyes to maintain appropriate alignment and visual function at near distances.
A person can have both dyslexia and a binocular vision problem, but one does not automatically cause the other.
Possible binocular symptoms may include:
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Double vision
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Eye strain
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Difficulty maintaining comfortable single vision
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Visual fatigue
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Difficulty during prolonged near work
When these symptoms are present, an appropriate binocular vision assessment may be considered.
Any identified binocular vision problem should be treated as a separate visual condition rather than described as the cause of dyslexia.
Dyslexia and Eye Tracking
Reading involves coordinated eye movements as the eyes move across lines of text.
It is sometimes claimed that abnormal eye movements or poor eye tracking cause dyslexia.
This is an oversimplification.
Reading difficulties associated with dyslexia primarily involve language processing rather than simply the physical movement of the eyes across a page.
A struggling reader may show unusual eye movements because reading is difficult, rather than unusual eye movements necessarily being the underlying cause of the dyslexia.
Persistent visual or eye-movement concerns should be assessed appropriately, but improving eye movement should not be presented as a cure for dyslexia.
Can Glasses Help Someone With Dyslexia?
Glasses can help when a person with dyslexia also has a refractive error requiring spectacle correction.
For example, someone may have:
Dyslexia + Myopia
or
Dyslexia + Hyperopia
or
Dyslexia + Astigmatism
Appropriate spectacles can improve visual clarity when these refractive errors are present.
In some individuals, spectacle correction may also reduce visual effort associated with an uncorrected prescription.
However:
Spectacles correct the optical problem — they do not treat dyslexia itself.
Educational support for dyslexia should be directed towards appropriate evidence-based literacy and learning interventions.
What About Coloured Lenses or Tinted Overlays?
Some people report that particular tints or coloured overlays make reading feel more comfortable.
However, coloured lenses should not be presented as a treatment or cure for dyslexia.
A subjective preference for a particular colour does not establish that dyslexia is caused by a visual problem.
If someone experiences significant visual discomfort when reading, it is important to consider ordinary visual factors first, including:
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Refractive error
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Appropriate spectacle correction
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Lighting
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Screen brightness
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Working distance
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Text size
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Visual environment
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Other eye or binocular vision concerns where relevant
Persistent reading difficulties should also be addressed through appropriate educational or healthcare professionals depending on the nature of the problem.
Reading Comfort and the Visual Environment
Even when eyesight is normal, the visual environment can influence reading comfort.
Simple considerations may include:
Appropriate Lighting
Insufficient light can make reading more demanding, while excessive glare may also be uncomfortable.
Comfortable Working Distance
Reading material should be positioned at a comfortable distance rather than unnecessarily close to the eyes.
Appropriate Text Size
Very small print may increase visual effort, particularly during prolonged reading.
Screen Position
For computer work, monitor distance and height can influence comfort.
Regular Breaks
Long periods of uninterrupted near work can contribute to visual fatigue.
Looking away periodically can provide a change in focusing and visual demand.
These measures do not treat dyslexia, but they may improve general visual comfort during prolonged reading or screen use.
When Should Visual Symptoms Be Assessed?
Consider an appropriate professional vision assessment when someone experiences persistent:
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Blurred vision
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Double vision
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Eye strain
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Difficulty seeing the board or screen
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Frequent squinting
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Significant headaches associated with visual tasks
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Difficulty maintaining clear vision
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Noticeable eye misalignment
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Sudden changes in vision
New or sudden double vision, significant visual loss, eye pain or other unexplained visual changes should receive appropriate medical attention.
How Eye Zen Optical Approaches Reading-Related Visual Concerns
At Eye Zen Optical, we do not assume that every reading problem is caused by the eyes.
Our optical role is to determine whether vision or spectacle-related factors may be contributing to visual discomfort.
Depending on the individual's symptoms and requirements, we may consider:
Visual Clarity
Is there an uncorrected refractive error affecting the clarity of the text?
Current Prescription
Is the existing spectacle prescription appropriate for the person's visual requirements?
Differences Between the Eyes
Significant prescription differences can sometimes influence spectacle comfort and binocular vision.
Binocular Vision
Where symptoms suggest a possible binocular issue, how the two eyes work together may be relevant.
Reading Distance
The optical requirements for a book, mobile phone and computer monitor are not identical.
Existing Spectacles
If symptoms started after receiving new spectacles, the prescription, lenses, measurements and frame positioning may need to be reviewed.
Visual Environment
Lighting, glare, screen distance and prolonged near work can all influence comfort.
Our aim is to identify optical factors that can appropriately be addressed while recognising when the difficulty falls outside the scope of spectacle correction.
Allen — Founder & Optician at Eye Zen Optical
Allen has worked in opticianry since 2005 and founded Eye Zen Optical in Singapore in 2022. His work focuses on personalised spectacle solutions, including complex spectacle requirements, prism-related prescriptions and progressive-lens difficulties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dyslexia caused by poor eyesight?
No.
Dyslexia is primarily a language-based learning difficulty and is not caused by poor eyesight.
Can glasses cure dyslexia?
No.
Spectacles can correct refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, but they do not cure dyslexia.
Can someone have dyslexia and a vision problem?
Yes.
Someone with dyslexia can independently have the same refractive errors, binocular vision problems or eye conditions as anyone else.
Why do words seem to move when I read?
There can be different explanations for visual symptoms during reading.
Moving, blurred or double text should not automatically be labelled as dyslexia. Persistent symptoms should be appropriately assessed.
Is binocular vision related to dyslexia?
A person can have both dyslexia and a binocular vision problem, but they are separate conditions.
A binocular vision problem should not automatically be considered the cause of dyslexia.
Do coloured lenses treat dyslexia?
Coloured lenses should not be described as a cure or treatment for dyslexia.
Coloured lenses is to assist the stability of the floating words for patients with dyslexia
Should a child with reading difficulty have an eye examination?
An appropriate eye examination can help identify refractive errors or other visual problems that may coexist with reading difficulties.
However, an eye examination does not diagnose dyslexia.
Visual Comfort for Reading & Learning in Singapore
If you or your child experiences blurred vision, eye strain, headaches, double vision or persistent visual discomfort during reading or screen use, an appropriate vision assessment can help determine whether a correctable visual factor is contributing.
At Eye Zen Optical, we focus on the optical aspects of the problem:
visual clarity + prescription + binocular vision where relevant + spectacles + working distance + visual comfort
We do not claim to cure dyslexia with spectacles.
Instead, our aim is to identify visual and spectacle-related factors that can appropriately be addressed while recommending further professional assessment when the problem extends beyond optical care.
Eye Zen Optical
71 Kallang Bahru #01-529D
Singapore 330071
WhatsApp / Call: +65 8048 8379
Book a consultation with Eye Zen Optical to discuss your visual concerns.