Who Are We

Read123 are experts in Visual Stress / Meares-Irlen Syndrome.  We specialise in Visual Stress (sometimes known as Meares-Irlen Syndrome), which is a perceptual disorder causing visual disturbances in some Dyslexics and those with Autism. These visual disturbances are managed using coloured overlays and tinted lenses and filters.  We have helped many children and adults with this condition who’s symptoms are consistent with Visual Stress using our unique colour range in our anti-glare overlays and tinted glasses.

Read123 filters are perfect for those people who suffer from Visual Stress (Meares-Irlen Syndrome) to help read from the whiteboard and to write on plain white paperThey’ve also been beneficial in some cases of Photosensitive Epilepsy and Migraine, although the mechanism looks to be linked to Visual Stress/Meares-Irlen Syndrome in these situations.

Our aim is to improve reading in children and adults of all ages, from all backgrounds. Each time you read, put your glasses on and the words should appear straight, as well as minimising any distortions.

Tinted glasses are very helpful in the workplace especially for VDU users who suffer from Visual Stress/Meares-Irlen Syndrome. The flicker from VDU screens makes concentration difficult and impacts on work productivity. Our glasses are designed to relieve the strain on the eyes. In accordance with The DSE Regulations 1992, employers are advised to provide glasses that help their employees who are habitual VDU users.

BEHIND THE SCENES

This is especially applicable to those VDU users who are either Dyslexic, Autistic and also have accompanying Visual Stress and therefore use a coloured overlay, and those that have Chronic Migraine and Photosensitive Epilepsy made worse by VDU flicker.

Read123 filters for Visual Stress (Meares-Irlen Syndrome) come in 31 standard colours and in prescription or non prescription. We also produce customised filters based on our free online customiser.

Each pair of glasses can be UV coated for full UV400 protection as to help protect eyes from harmful UVA and UVB ultraviolet light especially when reading outside. Please note: a filter doesn’t offer full UV protection on its own. It MUST be UV coated. Our lenses are CE marked and conform to UK Standards.

Visual Stress glasses and filters from Read123 are a cost effective alternative solution to otherwise expensive glasses from the High Street opticians, Irlen and Cerium. We stock the latest styles of frames in kids, teens and adult ranges and will continuously add more fashionable frames.

Special filter glasses for Visual Stress are great for use in the classroom, as there is no need to change the whiteboard colour and cause disruptions to classroom activities. Now sufferers can also participate!

You can also add optional extras like hard coating to help increase the durability of the lenses, thus increasing scratch resistance. Read123 encourage working closely with both parents and schools to provide high quality Visual Stress / Meares-Irlen Syndrome products.

Our Visual Stress / Meares-Irlen Syndrome glasses are thoroughly quality checked in our lab before they are sent out to you.

Visual Stress / Meares-Irlen Syndrome

Visual Stress, also known as Meares-Irlen Syndrome is a condition which affects around half of all Dyslexics although this number can vary. Patterns such as sentences or flicker trigger off a phenomenon called Visual Cortex Hyperexcitability which causes a Visual Disturbance. This results in headaches, tired eyes, difficulty reading, Visual auras amongst a multitude of symptoms.

If you suffer from Chronic Migraine  then you should be tested for Visual Stress. Colour therapy is very beneficial in relieving the headaches and pain associated with some cases of Migraine.

Visual Stress causes reading difficulties in some Dyslexics and Migraine sufferers which is improved significantly by as much as 70% using colour therapy.

Specially filtered Visual Stress glasses are very helpful when copying from the whiteboard allowing Dyslexics with Visual Stress to participate without any classroom disruptions as well as changing the whiteboard colour multiple times.

Photosensitive Epilepsy

Read123 glasses are very beneficial in providing relief to those people who suffer from Photosensitive Epilepsy. tinted glasses have been shown in studies to have a suppressive effect upon photoparoxysmal responses. The colour of the tint varies from person to person and our tints all work very well. Usually these are specific and it appears this could be linked to accompanying Visual Stress due to the flicker effect.

Migraine Relief

Different coloured filters have long been used in the treatment of Migraine and recent studies suggest coloured glasses can be helpful in greatly reducing the frequency of Migraine attacks when these glasses are worn continuously. The colour of the tint however varies from person to person but the most popular colours tend to be specific. Please ask us for more help on this.

Our History


  • 2010
    Produced the first truly anti-glare coloured overlays which reduce reflections better than any overlay on the market. These were accompanied by our tinted glasses for Visual Stress / Meares-Irlen Syndrome.

  • 2009
    Developed the first automated software for diagnosis and management of Visual Stress.

  • 2005
    Began specialism in Visual Stress, Visual Dyslexia and the use of colour lenses.