Irlen syndrome

Irlen Syndrome (also known as Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome) is a perceptual processing disorder. It is not an optical problem. It is a problem with the brain's ability to process visual information. This problem tends to run in families and is not currently identified by other standardized educational or medical tests.

Symptoms

Irlen Syndrome can affect many different areas, including: academic and work performance, behavior, attention, ability to sit still and concentration. People with Irlen Syndrome often experience some of the following symptoms:

• 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

Causes

The exact cause of Irlen Syndrome is currently unknown. However, it is believed to be caused by a defect in one of the visual pathways that carries messages from the eye to the brain. This defect causes a timing fault in processing visual information.

Treatment

The primary treatment for Irlen Syndrome is the use of colored overlays and filters. These can be used to change the color of text or the background on which it is printed. This can make reading easier, more comfortable, and more efficient.

See also

• Visual processing
• Perceptual disorders
• Learning disabilities
• Dyslexia

References

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