Irlen Syndrome / Scotopic Sensitivity
This is a controversial diagnosis in our profession. The proposed idea is that some patients may have "over-sensitive" retinal receptors and therefore in order to perceive their world (especially reading material) correctly, they need to wear special colored filters or specially-tinted glasses/contacts. Theses "Irlen-blue" filters, overlays & tints are supposed to selectively decrease certain wavelengths, and "ease" the "hypersensitivity" of the retinal receptors of patients who have this condition.
We get asked about this all the time, mostly from parents of learning-delayed (specifically reading-delayed) children who are understandably looking for answers and solutions to their child's reading problem. Some schools have embraced this idea and it's becoming popular among school occupational therapists. Even a few O.D.'s have embraced this idea and its therapies as part of the portion of optometry dedicated to "vision therapy". Irlen Syndrome is usually described as a form of dyslexia.
So what are my thoughts on it?
In my sometimes brutally honest way, I think it's completely worthless. I think dyslexia is obviously a valid diagnosis, but I do not think that "hypersensitive retinal receptors" exist, nor do I believe that colored overlays or tints have any effect on reading or reading comprehension. Dyslexia is not an "eye problem", but rather a neurological one, and therefore there are no eye or vision solutions to this problem.
But the real problem I have with it is that in order to diagnose "Irlen Syndrome", a person has to be specially trained and certified by the Irlen Institute, and in order to obtain the specially-tinted lenses and filters, one must be diagnosed by a certified Irlen practitioner (at great cost). The lenses and filters that are probably not very "special" in any way can ONLY be made by the Irlen Institute (again, at great cost). Convenient.
So there you have it. I'm not a believer. Sorry! I don't diagnose or treat Irlen Syndrome, I don't provide the special testing or filters (how could I? I'm not "certified" haha), and I don't refer patients for it. I feel that if you're convinced this is the problem you or your child has, then the Irlen Institute is easily found on a Google search.
I went to a MD that is a neuro/ophthalmologist and he is treating me for sensitivity to fluorescent lighting. One of the treatment is antiglare glasses.
ReplyDeleteok? you don't need a neuro-ophthalmologist to Rx anti-reflection coating for "sensitivity to fluorescent lighting". that's different than Irlen Syndrome.
ReplyDeleteA teacher on our private school campus is a certified senior Irlen Screener. She screens students for about $70, each. In the last 6 years she has found that 100% of the students she has screened, have Irlen Syndrome. Imagine that! This is a high school campus and the students will not wear colored lenses, even if their parents purchase them. Students pick their color before they go in for screening. Teachers are required to print tests and quizzes on colored paper for identified students.
ReplyDeletehaha yes, "imagine that!"
ReplyDeleteI am a 45 year old woman. I was recently diagnosed with Scotopic Sensitivity as have my two children. I have a Master's Degree and own my own business. I can tell you that this condition is real and my life has improved dramatically with my new violet-colored lenses. I wore glass my entire life - since 10 - and I can tell you I am finally seeing the world clearer, I have fewer headaches, my balance and depth perception have improved dramatically, and I am able to function much better. You need to seriously reconsider your position. The condition is real and the glasses worked for me.
ReplyDeleteI never know how to respond to replies like this. I'll just say something like "I'm glad it works for you". your reply is anecdotal evidence, just like if I told you I once caught a fish 'THIS BIG'! Did I? How big was it...really? Was it as big as I say? Who knows? Where's the proof? How does this validate the claims of the Irlen Institute? There's no science here. So does this mean you have "hypersensitive retinal receptors"? I personally doubt it. But...maybe you do!
ReplyDeleteA note about comments. Comments are appreciated. I publish most of them. But this is my blog and I am responsible for the content and I get to choose what is published and what is not.
ReplyDeleteThis blog entry gets a lot of kind of "hate" comments that obviously are not going to see the light of day here. There are a lot of very passionate people who I guess think they can bully me into considering irlen syndrome legit...? None of them are doctors. Most of them are educators.
Well sorry its not going to work, and those comments get the big "delete" button pressed.
My son was diagnosed with IRLEN the summer of 2013 and after receiving his new glasses was in tears of joy. He can read now and has informed me that he ENJOYS reading now. He also told me he no longer feels hopeless. His grades have improved and his headaches are reduced. Best of luck to you.
ReplyDelete