What is Irlen Syndrome?

Irlen Syndrome is a visual processing problem which appears to be caused by a defect in one of the visual pathways that carries messages from the eye to the brain. This defect causes a timing fault in processing visual information. It is as if the brain was a radio and the frequency selector was not quite on the station so that static interfered with the reception. Irlen Syndrome cannot be identified through standard psychological, educational or optometric testing. It is not an ophthalmological or optometric problem but may coexist with it.

The eyes transmit 70% of the information an individual receives and must be interpreted correctly by the brain. Any problem in the way the brain processes visual information can cause difficulties in the general ability to function, specifically processing, interpreting and interacting with the environment.

Irlen Syndrome can affect both adults and children, manifesting itself differently for each individual, and interfering with a range of activities which can be a lifetime barrier to learning, for example:

• Academic and work performance
• Behaviour
• Attention
• Ability to sit still
• Concentration