Bright white screens bother many readers — not only people with dyslexia. Visual stress (sometimes linked to Irlen Syndrome) can cause headaches, words that appear to move, or exhaustion after a short time reading.
A colour overlay tints the whole page so the background is softer. The text stays readable; the glare often drops.
What is a colour overlay?
Instead of black text on pure white, you read on a gentle yellow, blue, green, peach, or pink background. The right colour is personal — what calms one reader may not help another.
Common choices:
- Yellow — popular for general visual stress
- Blue or green — some readers prefer cooler tints
- Peach or pink — helpful under harsh indoor lighting
Overlays vs changing screen brightness
Lowering brightness helps glare but does not always fix contrast stress. An overlay changes the colour temperature of the reading surface while you browse — useful for long articles, PDFs in the browser, and revision notes.
How to use an overlay on websites
Browser extensions can apply a semi-transparent tint to any tab. In Dyslexly, open the popup → Colour overlay (Pro) → pick a swatch and adjust intensity.
Pair an overlay with:
- OpenDyslexic font
- Line focus so your eyes stay on one line
- Text-to-speech when you need a break from visual reading
Tips for finding your colour
- Start with soft yellow at low intensity.
- Read for five minutes — note eye strain and headaches.
- Try blue or green if yellow feels too strong.
- Save site-specific settings if news sites and docs need different setups (Pro).
School and exam contexts
Students with formal access arrangements sometimes use overlay colours on paper. Applying a similar tint on screen can keep revision consistent. Ask your SENCO whether digital overlays should be documented in a learning plan.
Try it today
If white pages feel harsh, an overlay is a low-risk experiment. Install Dyslexly, enable a tint on a long article, and see if you finish the page with less fatigue.
Related: Dyslexia-friendly fonts in Chrome