The first Intuitive colorimeter was designed in 1993 by Professor Arnold Wilkins when he was working at the Medical Research Council Applied Psychology Unit in Cambridge. He conducted research that established the existence of an underlying photophobic condition, previously under-recognised, that could impede the visual ability to read text. The symptoms of the condition were frequently confused with those of dyslexia, the condition is now known as visual stress.
The Intuitive Colorimeter was the first calibrated instrument to prescribe precise colour to alleviate symptoms of visual stress.
Professor Wilkins’ earlier work on photosensitive epilepsy and migraine led to his recognition that visual stress is probably neurological in origin. Later it was established, in a pivotal study, that individually prescribed precision tinted lenses, selected from the Intuitive Colorimeter, reduced abnormal brain activity in migraine patients.
The symptoms of visual stress may show in a variety of neurological conditions including autism, multiple sclerosis, stroke and closed head injury. Research continues into the impact of coloured lenses in these conditions.
Click here to watch the latest research webinar; Colour in the prevention of visual discomfort