Reading; Through the Eyes of a University Student

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER · Mar 20, 2020

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study is checking whether specially tinted glasses (precision tinted lenses) can help reduce visual stress and improve reading for university students who experience these symptoms. It uses a double-masked, randomized crossover design, meaning each participant wears both the “experimental” tint and a similar but non-helpful “control” tint for at least 10 weeks, with a break in between. The order is decided randomly, and neither the participants nor the researchers know which tint is which during the trial.

Who can join? Adults aged 18–45 who are undergraduate students at Ulster University and have visual stress symptoms, with no major vision or eye health problems that could interfere with the study. Exclusions include reduced sharpness of vision, uncorrected glasses prescriptions, certain eye alignment or health issues, and current use of precision tinted lenses. Participants will undergo tests for reading speed and visual symptoms, wear the assigned tinted glasses for the study periods, keep an online diary of symptoms and reading, and be checked again after about three months. The trial is currently enrolling by invitation at Ulster University in Coleraine, with the aim to enroll about 65 people and expected completion in 2025. No results are available yet.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • All consenting undergraduate University students, studying at Ulster University who have visual stress symptoms.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Reduced visual acuity
• • Uncorrected spectacle prescription
• • Decompensating heterophoria
• • Heterotropia
• • Accommodative insufficiency
• • Convergence insufficiency
• • Ocular health abnormality
• • Any participant currently using precision tinted lenses