Irlen Channel Islands – Helping people see clearly

Welcome to Irlen – Channel Islands

What is Irlen Syndrome?

Irlen syndrome is a visual perceptual problem that can affect children and adults of all ages. It has been the subject of medical and educational research and is a recognised syndrome with a physiological basis. It causes perceptual distortions, light sensitivity, headaches, migraine and problems with depth perception. It can lead to stress, anxiety, low self esteem and underachievement.

Why is Irlen syndrome largely undiagnosed?

Research indicates Irlen is a dysfunction within the visual cortex of the brain and those affected have hypersensitivity to certain colours in the full spectrum of light causing the brain to process visual information incorrectly. Those colours chosen are specific to each individual.

It's not obvious

It is not identified by standard visual and medical examinations or by educational and physiological assessments.

It feels normal

Sufferers think that the visual perceptual distortions they experience are “normal”. They assume that everyone else perceives the page and the environment as they do.

It's not well known

Irene Syndrome is recognised syndrome with a physiological basis, but it does not have a high profile, and is not discussed very much in the media.

Who is affected?

Up to 15-20% of the general population

30 – 80 % of those on the Autistic Spectrum

33% of those with ADD / ADHD

Dyslexia – 33% will be purely Irlen, 33% could have both Irlen & Dyslexia

Many individuals affected by head trauma, strokes, whiplash, Lyme disease, chronic fatigue or migraine headaches.

What are the symptoms?

Light Sensitivity

Discomfort in fluorescent light, sunlight, bright lights, glare, lights at night.

Poor depth perception

Problems judging distance or spatial relationships, causing difficulty with stairs, escalators, sports, driving and perspective.

Eyestrain & headaches

Sore, dry or watery eyes, headaches and migraine, drowsiness and fatigue from computers, reading and lighting.

Attention deficit disorders

Difficulty concentrating, listening and completing work.

Contrast & colour sensitivity

Difficulty with black print on white paper, bright colours, white boards and patterns such as stripes and polka dots.

Restricted span

Inability to read words in groups or see whole objects clearly in the environment.

Inefficient reading

Inability to develop or make use of reading skills due to skipping of words/lines, rereading of information, slow reading rate, problems with tracking and poor comprehension.

Distortions of print

Problems with print seeming to move, fade, disappear, swirl, blur and form patterns. The light background can dominate or sparkle and shimmer.

Benefits of Irlen Filters

Irlen tints and Irlen treatment is only available from Irlen clinics or from accredited Irlen practitioners.

The colours must be precise for each individual; what works for one person may not work for another.

The colour of the filters does not match the colour of overlay(s) chosen during the screening.

Only Irlen Filters will treat Irlen Syndrome: colours that may look similar will not work.

Inappropriate colours will not treat the symptoms and may cause other problems.

How will they look?

Irlen spectral filters have an attractive appearance and both adults and children enjoy wearing them. You can choose frames that look good with your particular colour. If you dislike the idea of wearing glasses, then you can have contact lenses which will not change your eye colour. Irlen spectral filters do NOT colour the page or the environment.

Make An Appointment

To find out more or to book an assessment please contact Jean Felton of Irlen Channel Islands:

Telephone: 44 1534 864543 | Mobile: 07797 922561 | Email: [email protected]