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What is Irlen Syndrome?

Irlen Syndrome is a light-based visual processing problem. Specifically, it is a cluster of symptoms caused when the brain struggles to process light and visual stimuli efficiently. Irlen Syndrome is not a reading problem, is not dyslexia, is not an issue with sight or vision, even though it can affect what some people see and can make reading and other visual activities more difficult. Irlen Syndrome is an information and sensory processing problem. As such, it is similar to other processing problems (both visual and auditory) that are identified through psycho-educational testing and treated within the psychological and educational systems. It is not a medical condition. The Irlen Method was reviewed by various USA Boards of Optometry and the USA Medical Board, and they concluded it was not the practice of either optometry or medicine.

When someone has Irlen Syndrome, their brain overreacts to light and visual stimuli.  This over-activity and inability to effectively process visual stimuli creates a variety of visual, physical, cognitive, emotional, and neurological symptoms. Light sensitivity is very common with Irlen Syndrome. Irlen Syndrome is hereditary and tends to run in families, affecting males and females equally. However, an individual can also acquire symptoms of Irlen Syndrome as a result of illness, medical procedures, or traumatic brain injury (or concussion). Like Autism, Irlen Syndrome is a spectrum disorder, falling on a continuum from slight to severe. Individuals who can read or perform visually-intensive activities for 40-60 minutes before any Irlen symptoms appear are on the slight end of the spectrum. These individuals can manage most academic tasks without difficulty; but when endurance is required, their performance may deteriorate. Individuals with severe Irlen Syndrome will experience symptoms within 20 minutes of beginning to read. For some, symptoms may not begin immediately; however, symptoms will get worse the longer the individual continues to read or be in bright lighting. Fortunately, it is very easy to identify and correct Irlen Syndrome.

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What is a perceptual processing disorder?

When the brain has difficulty processing visual information, it is called a visual, or perceptual, processing disorder. How, or what, someone sees might be affected, but it is not a problem with the eyes, it is a problem with the brain. Visual processing problems can include difficulties with visual discrimination, visual memory, visual sequencing, and visual motor processing. In the case of Irlen Syndrome, a core light sensitivity is what leads to the visual processing problems the brain experiences. Visual processing problems can sometimes overlap with learning difficulties and concentration problems, but are quite prevalent within the general population as well. While most often, a visual or perceptual processing disorder will be present from birth, visual processing problems can also be the result of head injury.

“Irlen Syndrome: A Teen’s Summary by David Accola”

Irlen Syndrome can affect many different areas, including:

  • Academic and work performance
  • Behavior
  • Attention
  • Ability to sit still
  • Concentration

This problem can manifest itself differently for each individual. This problem is not remediable and is often a lifetime barrier to learning and performance. If you suffer from any of the following, Irlen Syndrome might be your problem:

  • Print looks different
  • Environment looks different
  • Slow or inefficient reading
  • Poor comprehension
  • Eye strain
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Difficulty with math computation
  • Difficulty copying
  • Difficulty reading music
  • Poor sports performance
  • Poor depth-perception
  • Low motivation
  • Low self-esteem

Symptoms of Irlen Syndrome

Light Sensitivity:

  • Bothered by glare, fluorescent lights, bright lights, sunlight and sometimes lights at night
  • Some individuals experience physical symptoms and feel tired, sleepy, dizzy, anxious, or irritable. Others experience headaches, mood changes, restlessness or have difficulty staying focused, especially with bright or fluorescent lights.

Read more about light sensitivity and the Irlen Method >>

Reading Problems:

  • Poor comprehension
  • Misreads words
  • Problems tracking from line to line
  • Reads in dim light
  • Skips words or lines
  • Reads slowly or hesitantly
  • Takes breaks
  • Loses place
  • Avoids reading

Discomfort:

  • Strain and fatigue
  • Tired or sleepy
  • Headaches or nausea
  • Fidgety or restless
  • Eyes that hurt or become watery

Attention and Concentration Problems:

  • Problems with concentration when reading and doing academic tasks
  • Often people can appear to have other conditions, such as attention deficit disorder, and are given medication unnecessarily.

Writing Problems:

  • Trouble copying
  • Unequal spacing
  • Unequal letter size
  • Writing up or downhill
  • Inconsistent spelling

Other Characteristics:

  • Strain or fatigue from computer use
  • Difficulty reading music
  • Sloppy, careless math errors
  • Misaligned numbers in columns
  • Ineffective use of study time
  • Lack of motivation
  • Grades do not reflect the amount of effort

Depth Perception:

  • Clumsiness
  • Difficulty catching balls
  • Difficulty judging distances
  • Additional caution necessary while driving

Distortions:

  • Words on the page lack clarity or stability; i.e., may appear to be blurry, moving, or disappear