The Eye Lady

The Eye Lady Empowering individuals with visual challenges. As a Low Vision & Irlen Consultant, I provide personalised solutions to enhance daily life.

Testing and treatment for Irlen Syndrome, Low Vision consulting, magnifiers and lighting support in Northland. For people with Low Vision

At The Eye Lady, I believe that changes in vision shouldn’t limit your ability to enjoy and engage with the world. As a dedicated Dispensing Optician, I understand the unique challenges of low vision. With a passion for enhancing quality of life, I provide compassionate care and essential resources to support you on your journey. I am committed to creating a supportive environment where you can access valuable information, connect with others facing similar challenges, and discover effective strategies for navigating daily life with confidence. As your trusted partner, I offer personalised guidance in selecting low vision aids and technologies that can significantly improve your independence and daily experiences. Whether you’re seeking information, support, or simply a friendly conversation, I am here to help. Take the first step towards living well with low vision by scheduling an assessment with me today. Together, we’ll ensure you continue to live a fulfilling and empowered life, regardless of vision challenges. What is Irlen Syndrome? Irlen Syndrome, also known as Scotopic Sensitivity, is a perceptual processing disorder which affects how the brain perceives light. It occurs when the brain’s sensitivity to particular light wavelengths prevents it from correctly processing visual information from the eyes. The brain becomes overactive when exposed to particular wavelengths of light, resulting in visual sensory overload. Sometimes this can also appear as light sensitivity, but is it much more complex than that. Often mis-diagnosed as dyslexia, ADHD, or behavioural problems, Irlen Syndrome affects between 11-14% of the general population, and about 60% of those with other learning difficulties. Irlen Syndrome affects the way that individuals process visual information, which means they see things different to how they really appear. The visual system causes normal things we see to become distorted affecting the way individuals go about their daily tasks and can manifest in a whole range of different ways. Words can appear to be flashing, moving, blurring, or doubling up on a page. For some people the letters can swirl, shimmer, appear three dimensional or even seem to lift off or sink into the page. Individuals with Irlen tire more easily from routine tasks involving vision as the brain requires significant effort to process and make sense of sensory information. As a result, simple tasks such as reading can become extremely challenging. This over-activity of the brain contributes to the diverse symptoms often associated with the condition

Physical symptoms can include:

Sensitivity to light
Eye strain
Watery eyes and a need to rub them
Headaches and migraines
Fatigue
Nausea, motion sickness or dizziness

Visual symptoms can include:

Text moving on the page
Difficulty focussing on the right text
Blurred vision
Sensations of swirling, flashing, moving text
Difficulty viewing patterns or contrasting colours
Text jumping off the page, or sinking into it
Difficulty judging the speed and distance of objects

Associated disorders

Irlen Syndrome is often associated with dyslexia due to their shared symptoms, but they are actually separate disorders. That doesn’t mean that some individuals won’t have both disabilities. There is a significant crossover with other sensory or attention processing disorders such as ADHD, audio-processing disorder, or autistic spectrum disorders. In addition, it can be synonymous with other learning disorders such as dyspraxia (a developmental coordination disorder), dysgraphia (a condition which impairs writing ability), and dyscalculia (difficulty learning or understanding mathematics). The impact on individuals is immense and for some, it may serve as a lifelong obstacle to learning and achievement.

I recently did a social media workshop with Emily from Empire, and I’m really glad I said yes to it.She has a way of wal...
08/04/2026

I recently did a social media workshop with Emily from Empire, and I’m really glad I said yes to it.

She has a way of walking you through your own business step by step, without all the jargon or overwhelm. Things that used to feel confusing just… started to make sense.

I’ve come away with a much clearer idea of what to post, how to do it, and how to keep things consistent. I finally understand the difference between reels, carousels, and static posts, and I’ve got a simple plan mapped out for the next few months.

The support throughout has been incredible, and one of the best parts was getting to know the other mummas in the group. It felt like a really safe, encouraging space to learn.

If you’re running a business and social media feels a bit messy or overwhelming, this might be something worth looking into.

I do have a code from the workshop if anyone’s interested.

Happy to share more about my experience if you want to flick me a message 🙂 Either way, you need to know Em!

✨ Exciting news for our Northland community ✨Back in November, 19 incredible people began their journey to become certif...
05/04/2026

✨ Exciting news for our Northland community ✨

Back in November, 19 incredible people began their journey to become certified Irlen Screeners… and today, we’re celebrating a special milestone.

👏 Congratulations to Rachel McGillan – our first fully certified screener from this group!

Rachel brings over 25 years of experience as a Child & Youth Health Nurse Specialist, with the past decade spent supporting young people at Whangarei Youth Space. She’s deeply passionate about making care accessible and meaningful for whānau, especially here in Northland where access can be a real challenge.

Rachel is now available to receive referrals and support young people aged 12–25. While she’s not based in a school, families and professionals can connect with her through Youth Space reception:
📧 reception@youthspace.co.nz or (09) 972 7248

💡 Building a strong network of screeners means more families can access support, sooner. If you’re working with a young person who may benefit from an Irlen screening, Rachel is a wonderful option for those in Whangarei

02/04/2026

Reading shouldn’t be a struggle. For people with Irlen Syndrome, letters can appear blurry, moving, or distorted, making every sentence exhausting.

This short video shows some of the distortions that can make reading so challenging. If your child or someone you know struggles with reading, headaches, or eye strain, an Irlen screening could make a world of difference 💛

💙 Autism Awareness Day 💙Every child experiences the world in their own unique way — and for some autistic children, that...
01/04/2026

💙 Autism Awareness Day 💙

Every child experiences the world in their own unique way — and for some autistic children, that can include differences in how they see and process what’s on the page.

If your child finds reading tiring, avoids books, or complains of headaches or sore eyes, it might not just be about learning — it could be about comfort, too.

For some children, visual processing challenges (like those identified through Irlen screening) can make reading much harder than it needs to be.

When we understand what’s really going on, we can support our kids in ways that build confidence, reduce stress, and help them feel more capable 💛

Every child deserves to feel comfortable in their learning.

01/04/2026
School holidays are just around the corner… and it’s the perfect time to get answers 💡If your child finds reading tiring...
30/03/2026

School holidays are just around the corner… and it’s the perfect time to get answers 💡

If your child finds reading tiring, avoids homework, or complains of headaches or sore eyes, it might be more than just a lack of focus.

✨ School holidays = less pressure, more flexibility, and a calmer environment to explore what’s really going on.

📅 Limited appointments available these holidays
If you’ve been meaning to book, now’s the time to secure a spot.
https://the-eye-lady.au3.cliniko.com/bookings

Let’s set your child up for a more confident, comfortable start next term 💛

From struggle to growing confidence 💛When reading becomes physically uncomfortable, it’s so much more than “just trying ...
28/03/2026

From struggle to growing confidence 💛

When reading becomes physically uncomfortable, it’s so much more than “just trying harder.” Seeing a child go from stress and overwhelm to calmer, more confident reading is why this work matters.

There’s still a journey ahead—but this is such a powerful start ✨

24/03/2026

Poor eyesight, failing vision, or “I just can’t see” — whatever you call it, there is hope for those living with low vision.

If you (or someone you love) has updated their glasses but reading is still a struggle, you’re not imagining it — and you’re not alone.

Holding things closer, needing brighter light, or giving up on reading altogether can be signs that more support is needed.

Low vision can make everyday tasks harder… but the right tools and simple changes can make a meaningful difference.
Reading doesn’t have to feel this difficult.

If this resonates, it might be time to explore what else is possible 💛

23/03/2026

A new digital magnifier has arrived in my hot little hands. And it's a game changer!!!

Is your eyesight affecting your ability to read?You’ve done all the right things.You've had your eyes tested.Your glasse...
23/03/2026

Is your eyesight affecting your ability to read?

You’ve done all the right things.
You've had your eyes tested.
Your glasses are up to date.

…but reading is still a struggle.

Maybe the words look faded or blurry.
Maybe you need brighter light than you used to.
Maybe reading feels tiring, slow, or just not enjoyable anymore.

For many adults, this can be a sign of low vision — where everyday tasks like reading, even with glasses, become more difficult.

It’s often linked to common eye conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma, or diabetic eye disease — and it can have a real impact on independence and quality of life.

But here’s the important part:
there are ways to make things easier.

Simple changes, the right tools, and tailored support can help make reading more comfortable again — whether that’s books, medication labels, recipes, or messages from loved ones.

If you (or someone you care about) is finding reading harder than it used to be, it might be time to look beyond just glasses.

Feel free to reach out if you’d like to explore some practical options.

Address

41 Hobson Avenue
Kerikeri
0230

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