Can precision tinted lenses actually help children struggling with reading and visual stress?

Health · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Visual stress affects roughly 20% of children with reading difficulties, yet the use of coloured filters remains a point of contention. Anglia Ruskin University is currently conducting a rigorous, double-masked crossover trial to determine if precision tinted lenses can truly alleviate symptoms and improve academic performance in young students.

The Anglia Ruskin University Trial of the Intuitive System, known as ARUTIS, is a clinical study designed to address the lack of strong evidence surrounding visual stress. While many children report that coloured filters help them read, the scientific community remains divided on the efficacy of these interventions. By using a double-masked crossover design, the researchers aim to eliminate bias and provide a clearer understanding of whether these lenses offer genuine benefits or if the perceived improvements are driven by other factors.

The trial involves 120 participants aged 9 to 18 who meet specific diagnostic criteria for visual stress. Each child is assessed using the Intuitive Colorimeter to identify a chromaticity that they claim optimally reduces their symptoms, alongside a control colour. Participants then wear these spectacles for one-month intervals, separated by a washout period. The study measures success through symptom diaries, academic behaviour surveys, and reading speed tests, providing a comprehensive look at how these lenses impact daily life and school performance.

Beyond clinical trials, Anglia Ruskin University maintains a broad digital presence, including an London campus offering various undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. The university manages its online interactions through a structured cookie policy, which allows users to opt out of advertising cookies while still accessing essential services. This commitment to transparency extends to their research, as seen in the prospective registration of the ARUTIS protocol on clinicaltrials.gov in October 2023, ensuring that the methodology remains open to public and scientific scrutiny as they investigate this controversial area of vision science.

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