Irlen Syndrome: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Have you ever wondered how some people find it challenging to read texts? It acts as a barrier in the communication process and hampers their daily life. If you or someone around you deals with irritability, fatigue, eye strain or headache while reading, it might be because of Irlen Syndrome.

Also referred to as Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome or Meares, Irlen Syndrome is a visual processing issue that can take place due to head injuries, genetics or Lyme disease (an inflammatory process). Since these patients are unable to process visual information properly, they often get exposed to focus issues, anxiety and migraines. In this blog, we will unfold everything related to Irlen Syndrome.

Facts and Statistics

Individuals with Irlen Syndrome undergo a lot of pain while reading black texts on a white backdrop- they feel as if they are drowning in an ocean of disorganised words. Speaking of numbers, we have some clear statistics of Irlen Syndrome patients from reliable sources:

• General population: 14%
• People with dyslexia, learning or reading difficulties: 46%
• Individuals who dealt with concussion or TBI: 35%
• Autism spectrum: 33%
• People with ADHD, concentration and attention problems: 33%

Now, it’s time for us to delve deeper and learn the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of Irlen Syndrome. Stay with us to grab some valuable information right away.

What are the Symptoms of Irlen Syndrome?

The symptoms of Irlen Syndrome can be both severe and mild. Let’s take a moment to check out some common symptoms at a glance:

• Headaches
• Eye strain
• Poor performance in outdoor and sports activities
• Fatigue
• Inefficient or slow reading
• Depth-perception issues
• Poor reading comprehension
• Light sensitivity
• Concentration problems

Apart from these common symptoms, Irlen Syndrome can be further classified into three more groups:

Writing problems and reading distortions

• Misreading words
• Skipping lines and words
• Slow reading
• Fatigue
• Poor concentration and comprehension
• Reading problems in places with poor lighting
• Inconsistent spelling
• Spacing size and unequal letters
• Words might appear blurry or moving

Depth perception and spatial distortions

• Clumsiness
• Difficulty while judging distance
• Problems while catching moving things like sports balls
• Difficulty while driving at night
• Physical Symptoms
• Strain and fatigue
• Tiredness, sleepiness and issues staying focused
• Migraines and headaches
• Anxiety, restlessness, dizziness, irritability or changes in mood
• Watery eyes

The symptoms of dyslexia, ADHD and Irlen Syndrome are quite the same- even if all the health conditions are different from one another. While Irlen Syndrome is often considered an optical problem, it is not. Instead, it is a problem that is related to the brain’s ability to process visual information.

How to Diagnose Irlen Syndrome?

In order to diagnose Irlen Syndrome, one needs to undergo the Irlen Syndrome test. Here, the experts use a reading strategy questionnaire to detect whether the person is suffering from Irlen Syndrome or not.

• After the initial prescreening of the Irlen Syndrome test is done, the individuals at risk need to opt for a formal Irlen screening.
• A professional and certified Irlen screener takes care of this overall procedure.
• It is a comprehensive screening method that is capable of identifying the given condition.
• Apart from identification, this screening assesses the severity level, thus determining the best possible solutions to combat the issue.

How to Treat Irlen Syndrome?

Science of colour is what's required to treat Irlen Syndrome. Each colour has different wavelengths. It means that light waves with different wavelengths are processed by an individual’s brain. In Irlen Syndrome treatment, colours of specific wavelengths that irritate the brain are filtered out to correct the visual processing deficit.

The method that treats Irlen Syndrome is referred to as the Irlen method. Here, filters and coloured overlays are used to filter out the light wavelengths that distort the brain’s ability to respond to visual information.

Tinted Irlen lenses are a helpful tool that can be used to minimise the effects of Irlen Syndrome. For instance, if a patient puts on these tinted glasses while reading, then they will get the same type of coloured overlay. However, a certified Irlen screener is the right person to help you with the same.

In a Nutshell

With this, you know how to know if you or someone around you is suffering from something similar. It is important to look for some symptoms and then get a test. You can get tinted lenses from Specscart to treat Irlen Syndrome. You can also book a free comprehensive eye test to assess your eye health.

References:

• https://exceptionalindividuals.com/about-us/blog/what-is-irlen-syndrome-causes-symptoms/
• https://irlen.com/get-tested/
• https://www.amenclinics.com/blog/learn-more-about-irlen-syndrome-and-how-to-treat-it/#:~:text=The%20Irlen%20Method&text=the%20Irlen%20Method.-,Dr.,allow%20it%20to%20function%20better.