Irlen syndrome is a sensitivity to specific types of light in the visible range that causes the brain to interpret what your eyes see somewhat imperfectly. It can result in disturbed vision, depth perception and sometimes physical symptoms. Since it is a visual –perceptive disorder that occurs in the brain, it is unrelated to any eye pathologies or defects. The syndrome is solidly backed by controlled, peer-reviewed studies. Links to the science are available on the main Irlen website (see below)
“Sensory processing problems can cause real pain; even non-verbal individuals with autism can have a problem with sensory overload. Some people are really helped by Irlen Colored Lenses.”
– Temple Grandin, Ph.D.
Who is affected?
12-14% of the general population
46% of individuals with reading and learning difficulties
33% with ADHD
33% with autism
55% with head injury, concussion or whiplash
Irlen Syndrome in some cases is hereditary so it tends to run in families. In addition, some medical or metabolic conditions can influence it or trigger its onset: stroke, hormonal changes related to growth, adolescence, menopause or old age, some diseases and some prescription drugs.
Symptoms:
Many people with Irlen Syndrome have symptoms in one of more of the following categories. The intensity can range from barely noticeable, to very severe. It is not uncommon that people affected are unaware that the symptoms they are experiencing are not normal in particular when they have been affected since birth, they have grown up with it and usually develop compensatory strategies.
Light Sensitivity:
· Sensitivity to strong light such as bright sunlight
· Sensitivity to specific types of light: fluorescent lighting, energy saving bulbs, computer screens.
· Bothered by lights at night.
· Dislike shiny surfaces that cause glare or reflections like magazines or white boards.
Typical compensatory strategies:
Take sunglasses everywhere, even in the winter. Don’t like being in shopping centers or schoolrooms (usually have bright fluorescent lighting). Prefer to read in dim light.
For adults: Avoid driving at night
Incorrect Depth Perception:· Difficulty seeing objects in 3D
· Difficulty judging distances, speeds or heights.
· Dislike of escalators.
· Difficulty learning to ride a bike, “not good at” sports or catching a ball.
· Being “accident prone” or “clumsy”.
· For adults, difficulty driving and parking a car.
Difficulty with contrasts & patterns, reading and manual precision work:
· Sensitive to busy patterns such as stripes or polka dots: Observing them may cause eyestrain or the pattern may seem to jump out in 3D/ move or fade in and out.
· Text may appear deformed or seem to be moving on the page.
· Reading causes tiredness or physical symptom (for example headache)
· Trouble with precision hand–eye work: sewing, listing numbers, puzzles, crosswords, drawing or painting, or with manual crafts like woodwork or jewelry.
Restricted visual span:
· Able to see one or a few words at a time, but not a whole sentence or paragraph
· Tend to lose the place in a text or skip lines when reading.
· Able to see a person’s face but not the rest of their body at the same time
Physical Symptoms:
· Eyestrain
· Headaches / migraines
· Nausea, a general feeling of being unwell
· Dizziness, drowsiness
· Difficulty concentrating or listening
· Getting tired too quickly compared to the true difficulty of the task
· Wanting to take frequent breaks
· Feeling fidgety and hyperactive
· Anxiety, depression or behavioral issues
· Disturbed sleep
Two steps to a solution:
For people with Irlen Syndrome, wearing Irlen Spectral® Filters may help:
1) The first part is an assessment by a certified Irlen™ Screener to determine whether or not a person has the syndrome. A screening consists of a history as well as some tests on visual perception. At the end you may choose one or more color overlay(s) to be used for reading.
2) The second part is and intensive assessment performed by a qualified Irlen™ diagnostician to determine the optimum combination for your spectral filters. They will not be the same color as the overlay(s), they are much more precise and improve visualization of the environment. Spectral filters may also reduce or eliminate any physical symptoms.
Filters do not appear colored to the person wearing them. If optical prescription glasses are needed the lenses can be sent to the Irlen lab to be tinted, provided they are made of CR39 plastic without any coatings (which may be applied after the lenses are tinted). Contact lenses may also be tinted.
Filters do not appear colored to the person wearing them. If optical prescription glasses are needed the lenses can be sent to the Irlen lab to be tinted, provided they are made of CR39 plastic without any coatings (which may be applied after the lenses are tinted). Contact lenses may also be tinted.
https://irlen.com/
https://www.amenclinics.com/
About the Author:
Larisa Whitney is a certified screener for Irlen Syndrome, PhD in Molecular Biotechnology and Certified Human Potential Coach. Also mom to a 4 year old girl.
Please contact larisaangela@gmail.com, +33 (0)6 31 22 51 43
A screening lasts 2 hours and costs 90 euros (Prices subject to change without notice)