AN 11-year-old boy with dyslexia from Atherton is the ‘most improved pupil’ at his school after being helped to read by a trip to an opticians.

Ethan Meekin’s reading age was three years below his own before being prescribed with ‘life-changing’ tinted turquoise shades two years ago.

Since wearing the £250 specs Ethan's reading age has shot up to that of his peers — and has been awarded the Mary Charlton award for 'most improved pupil' at Sacred Heart RC Primary School in Atherton.

His parents Paul, 47, and Amanda, 44, were at a loss at what to do after one-to-one support did not help Ethan's progress — but they got the answer from a chance meeting with a teacher while on holiday two years ago, who suggested a colorimetry test.

The test, done at selected opticians, determines a specific precision tint for use in spectacles, with or without a prescription, to minimise visual stress on the wearer, and has been shown to be beneficial for people suffering from conditions such as migraines, dyslexia and autism.

Father-of-four Paul said: "We can’t believe how a pair of glasses have affected his ability to read. It's given him so much confidence and now he soaks all books up.

“Teachers ask questions in his class and for the first time he's the first pupil with his hand up. It's been life changing for him."

Ethan has dyslexia so has always struggled with reading throughout primary school.

Paul added: "When Ethan was nine his reading age was that of a six-year-old.

“He was put on a reading scheme called Toe-by-Toe, which helps children who struggle to read, but still he slipped further behind.

“We tried all kinds of things to help but he still found it so hard and it really affected his confidence."

After bumping into a teacher while on holiday in November 2013 who mentioned colorimetry testing, Ethan's parents took him to The Village Optician in Prestwich, where optometrist Benji Silverman carried out the test and prescribed turquoise coloured lenses.

Paul said: "We were delighted [with the Mary Charlton award] — and so was he.

“The teachers said that he had made so much progress that deserved it. We're so proud of him."

The colorimetry test is a straight forward assessment that can take up to an hour to carry out.

Benji said: "Many children and adults suffer from visual discomfort when reading. This can affect reading fluency, concentration and can cause fatigue.

"For children in particular it is very important to diagnose visual stress problems early, since their difficulties with reading can cause frustration, loss of self-esteem and poor performance at school.

"We have seen many children's development dramatically improve, and being part of this process is some of the most rewarding work we do."