Triveni Goswami Vernal
(Registered Special Educator CRR A64010)

Irlen Syndrome, also called Meares-Irlen Syndrome is a kind of visual processing disorder, where the brain struggles with processing light and visual information. This leads to visual stress taking the form of eye strain, blurred or moving words, headaches, difficulties in reading etc. 

There is no problem with the sight or vision. It is considered a visual perceptual processing issue. According to the website, http://www.irlen.com, “Specifically, it is a cluster of symptoms caused when the brain struggles to process light and visual stimuli efficiently. … 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” ( https://irlen.com/what-is-irlen-syndrome).

Although mostly hereditary, individuals can also acquire the condition after a period of illness, traumatic brain injury or certain medical procedures. Irlen Syndrome is also a spectrum –with some people being on the mild end, and some, more severe.  

Sharing the list of symptoms of Irlen Syndrome from the website http://www.irlen.com,

“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.

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.”

HOW CAN ONE MANAGE IRLEN SYNDROME?
One of the most common ways of managing Irlen Syndrome is to use Coloured Filters –Irlen Coloured Lenses or overlays for Reading. These are able to filter the disruptive wavelengths of light.

Irlen Coloured Lenses

Source: https://irlen.com/this-is-why-your-glasses-wont-be-the-same-color-as-your-overlay/

Irlen Coloured Overlays for Reading

Source: http://www.amazon.in
Although Irlen Syndrome can affect an individual’s academics and day to day living, if it remains undiagnosed, but with treatment options, readily available, the condition can be managed to a large extent.

A self-test can also be taken for Irlen Syndrome:
https://irlen.com/irlen-syndrome-self-test/

REFERENCES:
https://irlen.com/what-is-irlen-syndrome/
https://irlen.com/this-is-why-your-glasses-wont-be-the-same-color-as-your-overlay/
https://eyewiki.org/Meares-Irlen_Syndrome/Visual_Stress_(MISViS)
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Dr.Triveni Goswami Vernal is a Registered Special Educator (CRR: A64010), a Psychologist and an Expressive Arts Therapy Practitioner (UNESCO-CID). She is an Avaz Certified Educator and Certified in Dyslexia Teacher Training. She is also an art educator for children with additional needs. She has a 14 year old on the Autism spectrum. She is presently working as a Consultant Special Educator at Oyster CDC, Begumpet, Hyderabad.

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