McCrystal Opticians offer multisensory optometry. We’re amongst the first practices in the UK and Ireland to combine the unique Schoolvision and various light based systems in practice, for those with visual perception problems

The Schoolvision concept can also be modified to help others with multisensory issues such as Autism Spectrum Disorder or Asperger’s, as a strong common denominator of anomalous muscular strain can exist in the visual system. This helps promote development of ones ‘up close’ world, where drawing, sketching, letter and word recognition becomes easier – leading to better reading, writing, speech and verbal/ non-verbal communication skills.

If colour apparently helps the individual, we move to the Intuitive Colorimeter. This is an instrument which allows text to be viewed under different coloured light scenarios. The hue (colour), saturation (how deeply coloured) and brightness can all be altered by tiny increments until a precise shade is found which helps the individual by minimising or eliminating their symptoms.

The machine works by having a unique cylindrical mechanism inside, made up of seven specifically coloured filters and one large uniform grey filter – enabling up to 110,000 shade possibilities. This gives a very precise and tailored result for everyone being tested.

Trial coloured lenses are then used to match the chosen colour and ‘Rate of Reading’ tests carried out to confirm findings. Coloured spectacles, either with or without a prescription lens can then be ordered.

The mixing of light to create different colours and shades is in itself a science, where for example, yellow is created by mixing red and green lights – but if we alter one of these colours slightly, hue, saturation and brightness all change.The colorimeter overcomes these problems and enables colour and saturation to be varied without a change in luminance. Also the internal matt white walls of the unit, where the light is internally reflected, has a great ability to mix colour.

The Colorimetry system can also help in cases of non-muscular dyslexia, where visual processing issues exist further back in the eye-brain communication chain. In addition the symptoms of other photosensitive conditions can be eased such as migraine, epilepsy and ADHD.

The test, which is completely painless, involves an investigative consultation and colour assessment, where a tailored coloured result may be recommended, in the form of spectacles.