How visual stress may be affecting you

Eqilens and reading ability

For students the Eqilens Stress Assessment, incorporates an assessment of reading ability by using the Test of Word Reading Efficiency (TOWRE). The TOWRE is a 45 second test which assesses the ability to read increasingly complex words accurately and provides an accurate, standardised Single Word Reading Age. As TOWRE has two versions, (Forms A and B) the student reads first as normal and then with the chosen Eqilens filters. In this way the impact of Eqilens filters can be seen. Reading is a complex activity. Evidence derived from brain imaging techniques locates reading as an activity superimposed on the human brain, and one which permits, rather than causes, reading ability to develop from the interaction of complex neurophysiological phenomena. Single-word reading ability is the foundation for the development of automatic, fluent reading. The potential impact of the relief of visual stress is within the context of the student’s reading competency.

Eqilens believes that the elimination of visual stress can improve reading ability by reducing a barrier which prevented the reader, and others, from understanding and realising their potential.

This data is derived from 30 separate consecutive Eqilens Assessments undertaken with students aged 6-18, in each assessment the student was wearing the correct optical prescription.

Table 1 – A comparison of TOWRE Single Word Reading Age, with and without Eqilens filters.

Key

x = Student ID

y = TOWRE Single Word Reading Age in months, i.e. 72 = 6.0 years, 100 = 8 years 4 months.

Red with Eqilens filters, Blue without Eqilens filters

 Table 2 – TOWRE Single Word Reading Age gain in months, with Eqilens filters.

At the beginning of the Visual Stress Assessment when taking the TOWRE Form A with the correct optical prescription in place:

The mean average single word reading age [SWRA] of the 30 students was 8.0 years.

When repeating the TOWRE during the Visual Stress Assessment parallel test, Form B with the correct optical prescription in place and equipped with individually specific Eqilens colour:

The mean average single word reading age [SWRA] of the 30 students was 9 years and 11 months.

This result is has Statistical Significance at p < .01.