Irlen Syndrome affects a wide range of individuals. It’s common among children with learning problems, ADHD, autism, traumatic brain injury and other neurological disorders.
The condition causes disruptions in how the brain processes light. This can result in a number of symptoms, including difficulty reading or writing, eye strain and fatigue.
It is not an optical problem
Irlen Syndrome (also referred to as Meares-Irlen Syndrome, Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome and Visual Stress) is a perceptual processing disorder that affects the brain’s ability to process visual information. It usually runs in families and is not currently identified by standardized educational, psychological or optometric tests.
People with Irlen Syndrome have trouble reading when the print appears to move, fade, disappear, swirl or form patterns on a light background. They also see words as pulsating, blurry or in different locations on the page.
These symptoms can cause a variety of physical and emotional problems. They can include headaches, eye strain, poor concentration and fatigue.
The best way to relieve these symptoms is with spectral filters which are worn as glasses. These are custom made to the specific wave lengths of light which cause the perceptual difficulties and are a very effective treatment for Irlen Syndrome.
It is not a learning disability
Irlen Syndrome is a perceptual processing disorder, not a learning disability. Unlike dyslexia, which is a language-based disability of learning, Irlen Syndrome affects the brain’s ability to process visual information, not just words on a printed page.
Individuals with Irlen Syndrome are unable to process certain wavelengths of light that others can easily process. This can cause problems with reading, light sensitivity, headaches, fatigue, and poor depth perception.
This condition can have a negative impact on learning, behavior, academic performance, and overall health and well-being. It can also lead to stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, and underachievement.
Irlen Syndrome is a non-invasive condition that can be treated with coloured overlays and spectrally modified filters (lenses) worn as glasses. These filters correct the visual processing deficit, and can help improve comprehension, motivation, self-esteem, and academic/work performance.
It is not a brain disorder
Irlen Syndrome is a visual processing problem that affects 12-14 percent of the general population, but it increases to more than 46 percent of those with reading and learning difficulties, ADHD, dyslexia, autism, head injuries, or other learning disorders.
The condition causes the brain to misinterpret certain wavelengths of light and can lead to poor brain interpretations, headaches, fatigue, sensitivity to light, visual distortions while reading or writing and difficulty attending to depth perception.
The problem can impact every area of an individual’s life, including reading, listening, handwriting and copying. It also has a dramatic impact on self-esteem and academic performance, as well as how an individual feels about themselves.
It is not a psychological problem
Irlen Syndrome is a neurological problem that affects 15% of the neuro-typical population and is the most common visual processing disorder. This disorder consists of difficulties with sensory modulation, which is the brain’s ability to process visual information.
This difficulty with visual perceptual processing is caused by hypersensitivity to certain wave lengths of full spectrum light that trigger the brain to process visual information incorrectly, often causing symptoms like blurry or moving print. It also causes headaches, fatigue, depth perception issues, strain and difficulty staying focused.
Research at Cornell University shows that filtering written material through individualized spectral filters calms and normalizes brain activity in people with Irlen Syndrome, improving their functioning and performance.
Many students with Irlen Syndrome are misdiagnosed as dyslexic or ADHD and end up spending months in therapy or receiving specialized reading programs that don’t improve their learning outcomes. This can leave them with low self-esteem and a poor sense of accomplishment.