Monitor Overlays for Visual Stress and Dyslexia

Monitor overlays are tinted screen filters that cut glare, eyestrain and visual stress for SEND learners working on computers. They support pupils, students and adults with dyslexia and Meares-Irlen syndrome by filtering the wavelengths of light that make on-screen text feel uncomfortable to read.

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Our monitor overlay range is made by Crossbow Education, the SEND specialist behind the Eye Level Reading Ruler. It covers the four most common desktop monitor sizes - 17 inch, 19 inch, 21.5 inch widescreen and 24 inch widescreen - and each size is available in nine tints, so SENCOs, teachers, parents and home users can trial different colours and find the shade that works best for the individual learner.

The British Dyslexia Association recognises visual stress as a common co-occurring condition with dyslexia, and tinted filters - on paper or on screen - are a well-established low-cost classroom strategy. Keeping a set of monitor overlays in the SEND provision cupboard is a simple intervention that can benefit the whole class rather than a single pupil.

What is a monitor overlay and how does it work?

A monitor overlay is a thin tinted plastic sheet that lies flat against a computer screen, held in place by static, to filter the wavelengths of light linked to visual stress. Unlike changing the background colour in Windows or browser settings, an overlay tints every website, every PDF and every application the user opens, so the colour stays consistent across the whole screen. Each Crossbow sheet has a matt side that cuts reflections and a gloss side that keeps text crisp.

Who are monitor overlays for?

Monitor overlays support SEND pupils and neurodivergent adults with dyslexia, Meares-Irlen syndrome (visual stress) and sensitivity to screen glare. In schools, they are widely used in primary, secondary and further education classrooms, in SEN reading support sessions, and as part of provision for pupils on an Education, Health and Care plan. Parents use them at home for screen-based reading, homework and remote learning. They are also a recognised reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act 2010 and a typical recommendation in workplace dyslexia assessments under the Access to Work scheme.

How do I choose the right colour and size?

Start with size: measure the monitor diagonally from corner to corner and pick the matching 17 inch, 19 inch, 21.5 inch or 24 inch sheet. For colour, the right tint is highly individual, so the standard SEND practice is to trial a small set against the reader's normal screen tasks. If the learner already uses a paper coloured overlay or a tinted reading ruler in a particular shade, start with the matching screen tint. Schools usually buy a multi-colour pack for shared use; parents and adult home users often start with one or two tints and add to the set later.

Can I use a monitor overlay with a laptop, tablet or touchscreen?

Monitor overlays are designed for flat, non-touch desktop screens where the natural static holds them against the glass. On laptops they can still work, though fit varies with bezel depth. For touchscreens, tablets, curved monitors and multi-screen set-ups, our visual stress software range, including Tint and Track, is the better option. Software applies a fully adjustable virtual tint across any display and adapts as the user scrolls, types and switches windows.

 

Need advice? Call us to have a chat - 01394 671 818 or email us hello@thedyslexiashop.co.uk

Frequently asked questions

What is a monitor overlay?

A monitor overlay is a thin tinted plastic sheet that lies flat against a computer screen to reduce glare, eyestrain and visual stress. It covers the whole display and filters the wavelengths of light that make on-screen text feel uncomfortable to read. Monitor overlays are widely used by SEND learners with dyslexia, Meares-Irlen syndrome and sensitivity to bright white screen backgrounds.

Do monitor overlays help with dyslexia?

Yes, monitor overlays can help many people with dyslexia read more comfortably from screens by reducing glare and softening harsh white backgrounds. The British Dyslexia Association recognises visual stress as a common co-occurring condition with dyslexia, and tinted filters are a well-established low-cost strategy in SEND classrooms. Not every dyslexic reader benefits from them, which is why a colour trial is recommended before buying a single tint in bulk.

What colour monitor overlay is best for visual stress?

There is no single best colour for visual stress; the right tint is highly individual and needs to be trialled against the reader's normal screen tasks. Schools and SENCOs typically offer a multi-colour set so pupils can compare. Common starting points are blue, yellow and pink, but every reader is different. If a paper coloured overlay already works for the same person, start with the matching screen tint.

How do you fit a monitor overlay to a computer screen?

Measure the monitor diagonally and pick the matching size: 17 inch, 19 inch, 21.5 inch or 24 inch widescreen. Lie the overlay flat against the screen inside the bezel, and the static charge will hold it in place. Every Crossbow monitor overlay is also supplied with four clear adhesive patches as a backup. For non-standard screen sizes, the sheet can be trimmed to fit using a guillotine.

Can you use a monitor overlay on a laptop or curved monitor?

Monitor overlays are designed for flat, non-touch desktop screens where static holds them in place. Most laptop screens can take one if it is trimmed to size, though fit varies by bezel depth. For curved monitors, touchscreens, tablets and multi-screen set-ups, screen tinting software such as Tint and Track is a better solution, as it applies a virtual tint that adapts to any display.

Are monitor overlays the same as coloured overlays for reading?

They work on the same principle - a tinted filter between the eye and the text - but sizes and surfaces differ. A coloured overlay or reading ruler is A4 or smaller and designed for books, worksheets and printed exam papers. A monitor overlay is much larger, shaped to a desktop screen, and cut from a material optimised for reducing screen glare. Many SEND learners use both.

Can adults claim monitor overlays through Access to Work?

Monitor overlays are a recognised reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act 2010 and are routinely included in workplace assessments for employees with dyslexia or visual stress. Whether they are funded through Access to Work depends on the assessor's recommendation and the employer's existing provision, but they are a low-cost item that is typically straightforward to approve. Keep your assessment report and supplier invoice to support the claim.