What is Irlen Syndrome?
Irlen Syndrome is a perceptual processing condition that affects the brain’s ability to process visual information. It’s not an issue with eyesight, but rather how the brain interprets what the eyes see. This can lead to difficulties in reading, depth perception, concentration, and even light sensitivity.
People with Irlen Syndrome often experience visual distortions, discomfort, or fatigue when looking at text, patterns, or bright light. It can affect children, teens, and adults, often going undetected because its symptoms overlap with other conditions.
Common Symptoms
Individuals with Irlen Syndrome may experience:
- Words on a page appearing to move, blur, or distort
- Headaches, eye strain, or fatigue when reading or under fluorescent lighting
- Difficulty concentrating on written or detailed tasksSensitivity to bright lights or glareSkipping lines or losing place when readingStruggling with depth perception (difficulty judging distances, bumping into objects, or trouble with ball sports)
- Slow or inefficient reading, despite normal intelligence
How It Can Mimic Other Conditions — and Lead to Misdiagnosis
Because Irlen Syndrome impacts reading, focus, and visual comfort, it is often mistaken for:
- Dyslexia
- ADHD or attention difficulties
- Learning disabilitiesMigraines
- Vision problems (even though eye exams may show normal results)
These overlaps can sometimes result in misdiagnosis. People may receive reading intervention, ADHD medication, migraine treatments, or vision therapy without experiencing full relief—because the underlying visual processing problem has not been addressed.
What Happens During an Irlen Syndrome Screening
An Irlen Screening is a non-invasive process that:
- Identifies symptoms through discussion and observation.
- Assesses visual stress triggers—such as certain lighting, colors, or patterns.
- Tests with colored overlays to see if symptoms improve when specific tints are applied.
- Provides a detailed profile of whether Irlen Syndrome is likely present and what steps can help.
If Irlen Syndrome is indicated, a follow-up with a certified Irlen Diagnostician can provide additional testing for custom-tinted Irlen Spectral Filters.
How Irlen Syndrome is Remediated
The first step for many people is the use of colored overlays—a simple, inexpensive tool placed over reading material. Overlays can immediately reduce visual distortions, improve comfort, and make reading more manageable.
For those who experience more persistent symptoms—especially in everyday environments such as classrooms, offices, or outdoors—Irlen Spectral Filters may be recommended. These custom lenses filter out the specific wavelengths of light that cause visual stress, providing relief not only for reading but also for environmental triggers like glare, bright lights, and patterned backgrounds.
Please note: At this time, insurance providers do not cover Irlen Syndrome testing or remediation, so all costs are out-of-pocket.
Learn more here.
