Chris Bennett: Dyslexia debate rages on

There are few issues that divide the optical community as quickly as the issue of dyslexia but now two universities have entered the argument with a large scale study questioning optometry’s role.

The thrust of the research carried out by Bristol and Newcastle unis among nearly 6,000 kids is that there is no evidence for a visual link with dyslexia. The inference is that optical professional are offering a cure which halts further investigations.

The lead ophthalmologist for the study encourages parents to ask exactly what impairment is being treated, how it is measured and evidence that it will help. The study authors suggest reading difficultly is unlikely to be affected by a child’s eyesight and urge the use of evidence based treatments such as training in phonics.