The Irlen Syndrome: Does It Really Exist?

Irlen Syndrome was named after the American therapist Helen Irlen. She was one of two people who independently posited that some people diagnosed with reading problems (especially dyslexia) have a syndrome that is caused by hypersensitive photoreceptors, which do not allow visual perceptions to be translated correctly by the brain. She discovered that some patients with this syndrome benefited by the use of tinted lenses and overlays that dull their hypersensitivity and allow them to read more easily. She developed the Irlen Method, which uses these tinted devices in order to help people with this syndrome to read more easily.

Although Irlen Syndrome is not proven to exist, the following symptoms are said to be signs of Irlen Syndrome:

· The inability to keep the place while reading

· The tendency to skip or reread words

· Abnormal positioning of eyes while reading; squinting or opening eyes wide

· Ability to focus on only a small part of the page

· Eye strain or fatigue caused by reading

· Headaches caused by reading

· Frustration with glare on the page or bright lights while reading

· Short attention span, leading to fidgeting and inability to stay on task while reading

· Inability to align numbers properly while completing math problems

· Use of finger or other marker while reading

There have been studies that have been unable to replicate Irlen’s results. For example, a study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Ophthalmology had 24 dyslexic students wear tinted lenses in their glasses, and found “no significant difference in the change in reading age between treatment and control groups.” The American Optometric Association also released a statement in which they said that people exhibiting symptoms of Irlen Syndrome have been found to experience a relief of their symptoms after undergoing vision therapy, and therefore the Irlen Method is unnecessary.