Experts have cast doubt on the popular belief that dyslexia is a visual disorder, as a new large-scale study suggests dyslexia is not linked to eyesight problems.

Researchers from Bristol and Newcastle universities carried out eye tests on more than 5,800 children, finding that those with dyslexia were no more or less likely to have any sight or eye-related problems.

This raises doubts on the efficiency or coloured overlays and lenses to help dyslexic children with reading.

The study examined the eyes of dyslexic and non-dyslexic children and found that problems such as short or long sightedness, squints or difficulties in focusing were not more prevalent in dyslexic children.

A majority of dyslexic children were found to have ‘perfect vision,’ according to the report.

According to the report’s co-author, Alexandra Creavin, eyesight is ‘very unlikely’ to be the cause of reading problems.

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