Irlen Syndrome: Visual Stress, Coloured Overlays and What Teachers Should Know

What is Irlen Syndrome and how does it affect reading?

Irlen Syndrome is a visual processingcondition where the brain struggles to interpret visual information correctly, causing difficulties with reading despite normal vision. It affects approximately 14% of the general population and up to 50% of students with reading difficulties. The condition causes visual stress symptoms like words appearing to move, blur, or merge together on the page.

Scientific Note: Irlen Syndrome (Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome) remains scientifically contested. While some individuals report benefits from coloured overlays and lenses, systematic reviews have found limited high-quality evidence supporting Irlen Syndrome as a distinct condition. Major medical and optometric organisations have expressed skepticism. Teachers should be aware of this ongoing debate when considering interventions.

Some people face difficulty in reading words from the screen or a paper, but they do not necessarily have a learning disability. Some individuals' ability to read is affected due to problems with visual processing or light sensitivity.

Irlen Syndrome is a condition (also referred to as Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome or Meares-Irlen Syndrome) caused by visual stress in which the problem is not with seeing the written letters on a paper, but with brain interpretations of the visual information.

People may get affected by Irlen Syndrome at any age. It is both demotivating and frustrating when it affects a person's ability to learn, which can significantly impact student student wellbeing and their reading comprehension for school or work.

Almost 50% of learners with academic difficulties (such as dyslexia) are affected by Irlen Syndrome.

The root cause of Irlen Syndrome lies in perceptual problems, which mainly occur due to light sensitivity.

Learners with Irlen syndrome mostly benefit from using tinted glasses or coloured overlays. The coloured glasses or colored overlays filter out light that is causing the printing distortions. The problem may get even worse with white paper and black print on it, which is the most widely used format.

People who are suffering from Irlen Syndrome may face difficulty with:

• Twirling letters
• merging of letters together
• The appearance of letters in the erroneous order
• Letters jumping about
• Words being faint
• Reading while staying in one place
• Excessive blinking and rubbing of eyes
• Letters emerge as the jumbled puzzle
• Words seeming faded

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When was Irlen Syndrome discovered and by whom?

Irlen Syndrome was discovered in 1980 by educational psychologist Helen Irlen while working with adults who had reading difficulties. She found that colored overlays could dramatically improve reading ability in certain individuals who experienced visual distortions. The condition was initially called Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome before being renamed after its discoverer.

A teacher in New Zealand, Olive Meares, was the first who identified the Irlen Syndrome in the 1980s. According to Olive Meares, some students could not write on or read from a white page. Helen Irlen was the American psychologist who examined further symptoms and labelled the condition as scotopic sensitivity. She observed the positive impact of using coloured overlays in easing the symptoms.

Helen Irlen was a school psychologist who was working with children who had reading difficulties. She found that these children often complained about visual distortions, headaches, and fatigue when reading printed materials. She also noticed that these children had a tendency to skip or repeat lines of text, lose their place while reading, and avoid reading altogether.

Through her research and clinical work, Irlen identified a visual perceptual problem that affected the way some people processed and interpreted visual information. She called this problem "scotopic sensitivity," which refers to the visual system's response to low levels of light. She found that people with Irlen Syndrome had difficulty filtering out certain wavelengths of light, which caused visual distortions that made reading and other visual tasks more difficult.

Irlen developed a diagnostic tool, which is a non-intrusive assessment that involves viewing different colors through colored overlays and/or lenses to determine which color(s) normalise the visual system. The treatment for Irlen Syndrome involves the use of colored overlays and/or lenses that block out specific wavelengths of light, which allows the brain to process visual information more efficiently. Today, Irlen Syndrome is recognised as a condition that affects many individuals, regardless of age or intellectual ability.

The Learning Research Association was founded in 1996. In 2014, its name was changed to the Irlen Syndrome Foundation. Its primary objective was to increase awareness that adults and children with Meares-Irlen Syndrome face attention difficulties and cannot process and are sensitive to specific wavelengths of light. This may lead to symptoms such as poor brain interpretations and distortion issues, headache, fatigue, sensitivity to light and visual distortions during reading and writing.

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Prevalence: How Common is Irlen Syndrome?

According to scientific evidence , Irlen syndrome is more common than heart diseases and asthma as nearly 14 percent of individuals are affected by it.

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Signs and Symptoms of Irlen Syndrome

The signs and symptoms of Irlen Syndrome can vary from person to person, but here are some common indicators to look out for in the classroom:

• Reading Difficulties: Struggles with tracking, skipping lines, rereading, or slow reading speed.
• Visual Discomfort: Complaints of headaches, eye strain, fatigue, or nausea when reading.
• Light Sensitivity: Sensitivity to bright lights, glare, or fluorescent lighting.
• Distortions: Perception of words moving, blurring, shimmering, or appearing distorted on the page.
• Attention Difficulties: Difficulty concentrating, restlessness, or fidgeting while reading.
• Physical Symptoms: Squinting, excessive blinking, rubbing eyes, or holding books too close.
• Depth Perception Problems: Difficulties with judging distances or navigating stairs.
• Handwriting Issues: Poor handwriting, inconsistent spacing, or difficulty staying on the line.
• Avoidance: Reluctance to read or engage in visually demanding tasks.

Note that these symptoms can also be associated with other conditions, such as dyslexia or visual impairments. A comprehensive assessment by a qualified professional is necessary to determine if Irlen Syndrome is present.

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Practical Classroom Strategies for Supporting Students with Irlen Syndrome

Here are some practical strategies that teachers can implement in the classroom to support students with Irlen Syndrome:

1. Use Coloured Overlays: Experiment with different coloured overlays to find the optimal tint that reduces visual stress for the student. Provide a selection of overlays for students to choose from.
2. Adjust Screen Settings: Change the background and text colours on computers and tablets to reduce glare and eye strain. Experiment with different colour combinations to find what works best for the student.
3. Provide Adequate Lighting: Ensure that the classroom is well-lit, but avoid harsh fluorescent lighting. Natural light is often preferable. If fluorescent lighting is unavoidable, consider using lamps with softer, more natural light bulbs.
4. Offer Regular Breaks: Encourage students to take frequent breaks from reading and other visually demanding tasks to reduce eye strain and fatigue. Short breaks every 20-30 minutes can be beneficial.
5. Reduce Visual Clutter: Minimise visual distractions in the classroom by keeping the environment tidy and organised. Avoid cluttered bulletin boards or busy backgrounds.
6. Provide Adapted Materials: Offer reading materials with larger font sizes, wider spacing, and off-white or coloured paper. Avoid glossy paper, which can cause glare.
7. Allow for Movement: Some students may find it helpful to move around while reading or listening. Allow students to stand, fidget, or use a wobble cushion if it helps them concentrate.
8. Collaborate with Parents and Specialists: Work closely with parents, optometrists, and Irlen screeners to develop a comprehensive support plan for the student. Share information and strategies to ensure consistency between home and school.

By implementing these strategies, teachers can create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for students with Irlen Syndrome, helping them to overcome visual processing challenges and achieve their full potential.

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Conclusion

Irlen Syndrome, while sometimes debated within the scientific community, presents a very real challenge for many students. By understanding the condition and implementing simple, practical strategies, teachers can make a significant difference in the lives of struggling readers. Remember that observation, empathy, and collaboration are key to identifying and supporting students with Irlen Syndrome.

Creating a classroom environment that is sensitive to visual processing differences benefits all students, not just those with diagnosed Irlen Syndrome. Simple adjustments like offering coloured paper, adjusting screen settings, and providing adequate lighting can enhance the learning experience for everyone. By embracing inclusive teaching practices, we can helps all students to thrive and reach their full potential.

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Further Reading

1. Robinson, G. L., & Conway, R. N. (1994). The effects of coloured filters on eye movements in reading. *Australian Journal of Special Education, 18*(2), 45-54.
9. Evans, B. J. W., Wilkins, A. J., Brown, I., & Busby, A. (1996). A controlled investigation into the use of coloured overlays. *Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, 16*(6), 479-487.
10. Huang, J., Zong, Y., Wilkins, A., Jenkins, B., Bozoki, A., & Cao, Y. (2011). FMRI evidence that precision ophthalmic tints reduce cortical hyperactivation in migraine. *Journal of Neuroscience, 31*(49), 16357-16365.
11. Simmons, K., Black, J., Allen, P., & Evans, B. J. W. (2020). Randomised controlled trial of precision tinted lenses versus placebo lenses for children with reading difficulties. *Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, 40*(2), 260-274.