BBC News Online: Health

'I can see clearly now'

David Heaton is fitted for the lenses

Around 4% of the population suffers from dyslexia, a neurological condition which can make it difficult to read and write as words appear to wobble and blur.

Researchers at Clatterbridge Hospital's Corneal Laser Centre stress that the use of tinted lenses is not a cure for the condition, and may only help a minority of sufferers.

But in one study some dyslexics who wore the lenses trebled their reading speed.

To achieve the effect a different colour lens is needed for each eye.

Accidental discovery

Optician David Harris made the discovery by accident. He originally developed the lenses to aid people with distorted colour vision.

He said: "I was more scepitcal than most originally because these people came with colour vision problems.

"But I was absolutely delighted to find there really was an increase in the reading skills of these people."

David Heaton, a 25-year-old dyslexic, has benefited greatly from the lenses. He said: "I am just stunned at the difference it is making. It is not a major effort now to read anything, whereas it was a major effort to read anything at all before."

'Jump for joy'

Mark Robinson, another dyslexic who has used the lenses, said: "It felt so amazing, I could just jump for joy."

Liz Brooks, of the Dyslexia Institute, warned the lenses were not a complete answer for dyslexics.

She said: "Most dyslexic people need to learn to read, write and spell being taught in a highly structured way to overcome the difficulties they have in their brains. In effect there is a break in the wiring."