What’s Color Got to Do With It?
What’s Color Got to Do With It?
Written by Lara Jane Coffey, MA, LPC Associate, Certified Irlen Screener
This blog post aims to raise awareness of a little-known condition that significantly impacts those who suffer from it. Irlen Syndrome is a visual-perceptual processing disorder that creates difficulty processing information received visually and affects multiple areas of functioning, such as learning, work performance, behavior, attention, depth perception, and light sensitivity. According to the Irlen Institute (2023), it impacts approximately 14% of the general population and is found to have a higher prevalence in some populations, including those with reading difficulties/learning disabilities (46%), autism spectrum disorder (30%), and ADHD (33%). Others who may suffer from Irlen Syndrome include those who have suffered a head injury, concussion, or whiplash, as well as those diagnosed with certain visual, medical, or psychological conditions.
What Exactly is Irlen Syndrome?
Irlen Syndrome is a brain problem, not an eye problem. Visual or perceptual processing disorders, such as Irlen Syndrome, affect how a person’s brain interprets the information it takes in visually (Soares & Gontijo, 2016). Researchers estimate that about 80-90% of the information people receive is acquired visually. So, Irlen Syndrome has the potential to impact a person’s entire life, not just reading! Irlen Syndrome causes the brain to struggle to interpret certain wavelengths of light, which are specific to each individual with the condition. The brain's inability to accurately process these wavelengths of light leads to symptoms that affect an individual’s experience with learning as well as how they function within their physical environment. Because of its pervasive impact, those caring for individuals with Irlen Syndrome (i.e., parents, grandparents, teachers, etc.) may also experience significant stress in identifying the source of their loved one’s discomfort and finding solutions to help them function better.
What Causes Irlen Syndrome?
In many cases, Irlen Syndrome is inherited (Robinson et al., 1996). It tends to run in families and affects all genders equally. There is an 84% chance that a person with Irlen Syndrome has one or both parents who also experience symptoms. Other times, individuals acquire Irlen Syndrome symptoms after experiencing illness, medical procedures, concussion, or traumatic brain injury (Irlen Institute, 2023).
How Do I Know If I Have Irlen Syndrome?
You or a loved one might have Irlen Syndrome if you notice any of the following symptoms:
Headaches or Migraines
Light Sensitivity - Especially to sunlight or fluorescent light
Reading Difficulty - Struggling to read/comprehend the words on the page and/or physical symptoms resulting from reading, such as fatigue/sleepiness, eye strain, nausea, dizziness, headaches, irritability, etc.
Print or Environmental Distortions - This could take the form of print moving on the page, seeing shadows, colors, or spaces on the page that are not there, missing all or parts of letters/words, etc.
Problems with Attention or Concentration
Depth Perception Problems
Strain or Fatigue - Especially when engaging in learning activities
How is Irlen Syndrome Treated?
The good news is that Irlen Syndrome can be mitigated using a non-invasive method involving colored filters to normalize brain function. This could take the form of:
Colored Overlays - used to cover print materials and minimize visual distortions and physical symptoms
Colored Screen Clings - used to cover electronic screens and reduce strain, fatigue, and distortions
Irlen Spectral Filters - worn as eyeglasses, with or without prescription to mitigate both reading and environmental symptoms
Where Can I Get Tested?
Kranz Psychological Services provides Irlen screenings conducted by our certified Irlen screener. You may click here to complete an Irlen Self-Test to determine if you are a good candidate for screening. Our KPS Irlen Specialist suggests taking the long test, as it provides more information and allows one to see the vast number of life functions influenced by Irlen Syndrome. If you would like more information about scheduling an Irlen screening, please contact our office at 903.200.1433 or email appointments3@kranzpsychservices.com. If you are not local to the KPS facility, you may search for a certified Irlen Screener in your area at www.Irlen.com.
Additional Resources
References
The Irlen Institute. (2023). What is Irlen syndrome? Irlen: Where the science of color transforms lives. https://irlen.com/what-is-irlen-syndrome/
Robinson, G. L., Foreman, P. J., & Dear, K. G. (1996). The familial incidence of symptoms of scotopic sensitivity/Irlen syndrome. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 83(3), 1043–1055. https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.1996.83.3.1043
Soares, F., & Gontijo, L. (2016). Production of knowledge: Genetic basis, biochemical and immunological of Meares-Irlen Syndrome. Revista Brasileira de Oftalmologia, 75(5), 412–415. https://doi.org/10.5935/0034-7280.20160084
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