More information:

• Resources & Research

• Information for Opticians
  
• Information for Psychologists

• Information for Optometrists
• Information for Physicians
• Information for Educators
• Related links
  

What is Irlen Syndrome?

Irlen Syndrome is a visual perceptual problem that affects more than 12% of the general population.

More often, Irlen Syndrome manifests itself through reading difficulties. Those affected perceive distortions on the page being read. Science now confirms that Irlen Syndrome is caused by an overexcitation of neurons in the brain, which in turn is provoked by some light frequencies that light-sensitive persons cannot process effectively.

On top of producing distortions which make a text hard to read, Irlen Syndrome will further cause: 

• Visual stress and fatigue after a short reading period
• Difficulties understanding what is being read
• Poor recall of what has been read
• Poor reading rate ; reading is slow, choppy and full of hesitations
  
• Poor attention distractibility and agitation
• Headaches and migraines
• Behaviour problems, impulsivity and irritability

Adapted from Irlen® International; Copyright © 1998- 2013 by Perceptual Development Corp/Helen Irlen®. All rights reserved.

---

Provided by Dr. Doris Ang, Singapore