Brno scientists developing new tool to diagnose dyslexia
Diagnosing dyslexia in children could soon be faster and more accurate thanks to scientists in Brno. They are developing an eye-tracker, a device that monitors eye movements while reading. The technology could help experts better understand reading difficulties and offer more targeted support.
Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects how the brain processes written language, often causing children to struggle with recognizing letters, words, and sentence structures. In some cases, it can make text appear distorted, with letters flipping—such as confusing ‘d’ and ‘b’—or words seeming to move on the page.
In Czechia, an estimated 1–2% of children experience severe reading difficulties that require professional help. While early diagnosis of the problem is crucial, it is not always easy to achieve.
Traditionally, dyslexia diagnosis relies on paper tests and stopwatches to measure reading speed and accuracy. Now, researchers at Masaryk University are developing a digital method using eye-tracking technology to provide precise, objective data about how a child reads.
The device is simple to use. A child sits in front of a computer, places their head in a stabilizing frame, and reads displayed text on the screen while several red spots light up on the device in front of their face. Researcher Nicol Dostálová explains:
“This device is called an eye-tracker. The red dots are infrared sources that reflect off the eye, allowing the machine to calculate exactly where the participant is looking. The child’s task is to read the displayed text.”
The test has three stages: first, reading simple syllables, then full sentences, and finally, nonsense words:
“Dyslexic children sometimes guess words when reading normal text. But nonsense words force them to focus on each letter and read exactly what is written.”
The system records where the child’s eyes focus and for how long, displaying the results as coloured circles. Their size indicates how much time the reader spent on each syllable, explains Ms. Dostálová:
“The large orange circles show where the child paused for a long time, struggling with certain syllables.”
According to Roman Švaříček, head of the Institute of Educational Sciences at Masaryk University, this method could revolutionize the diagnosis of dyslexia.
“A counsellor typically listens for reading errors. But with an eye-tracker, we can pinpoint exactly where the child struggles—down to the millisecond. This allows for a more precise diagnosis.”
By identifying the specific challenges each child faces, specialists can create targeted interventions to help them improve. Brno researchers have already tested the eye-tracker on dozens of children and report a 90% accuracy rate in detecting dyslexia.
For now, they are continuing to refine the technology. In the future, they hope to make the device portable, and specialists should be able to use it within the next five years.
