What helps to alleviated Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome?
- To reduce glare I use dull coloured paper for reading and writing.
- I try to avoid reading under bright light, fluorescent or sunlight.
- Wearing tinted lenses in my glasses helps to reduce visual distortions.
- I make adjustments to the display settings on my computer and tablet screens; I choose low contrast and brightness settings. I prefer non-reflective screens; my tablet has an anti-glare filter over its glossy screen. Also I adjust the display preferences such that text and background colours suit me, for example I routinely increase the text size on webpages.
- I use a bookmark when reading to ensure my eyes do not skip to another line.
- I try not to read continuously over long periods.
- I limit the time I spend in busy crowded places (e.g. supermarkets, shopping centres, etc.) where there are a lot of visual stimuli.
Does 'practise make perfect'? While growing up I was often told to practice reading so that it would become easier; yet no matter how long I spent trying to read I never really improved. It would seem that 'Practise makes Perfect' is not always true! My parents and teachers, unaware of my visual problems, assumed that if I practised reading I would be able to read accurately and quickly. Through no fault of their own they did not realise that I could only see a few letters at a time! Today my highest degree is a PhD so obviously I can now read however I still find reading difficult and tiring because I cannot see the text clearly! I need to be realistic about my limitations while striving to achieve as much as possible.
I am left wondering... ...how many people worldwide are struggling through life with undiagnosed Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome?
The cost to humankind must be very high on so many levels:
...physical pain, headaches, migraines...
...distress, low self-esteem, depression...
...unfulfilled potential and lives...
See animations of how Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome affects my vision