Irlen syndrome

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Irlen syndrome
Pseudomedical diagnosis
Risks Nocebo

Irlen syndrome (or scotopic sensitivity syndrome) is a purported medical condition of disordered visual processing, which, it is proposed, can be treated by wearing colored lenses. The ideas of Irlen syndrome are not supported by scientific evidence, and its treatment has been described as a health fraud.

Contents

History

The condition was proposed in the 1980s, by Helen Irlen, an educational psychologist. [1] [2] Irlen found that certain children and adults who had reading difficulties improved upon overlaying coloured acetate sheets on top of the text that was being read. [2] Irlen defines the Syndrome as a light-based visual processing problem. She theorizes that the brain is unable to process light and visual stimuli efficiently, leading to visual stress and poor reading comprehension. The symptoms of Irlen Syndrome can include behavioural difficulties, reading difficulties, headaches, fatigue, and light sensitivity. [3] [4]

The diagnostic test for Irlen Syndrome was developed by Irlen, and consists of a questionnaire of 32 questions, a series of visual tasks, and an assessment where coloured lenses are presented to the patient to see if there is any reading improvement when using them. [5] Irlen has not provided any data related to the diagnostic test or released a comprehensive diagnostic criteria. [5]

In 1985 Irlen submitted a patent for coloured lenses, to be used in glasses frames, for dyslexics and people with Irlen syndrome. [6]

The Irlen method uses colored overlays and tinted lenses in the form of glasses or contact lenses. The method is intended to correct visual processing problems; it is claimed the resultant retiming of visual signals in the brain improves symptoms associated with Irlen syndrome. [7] [ failed verification ]

Criticism

Some say that the ideas of Irlen syndrome are pseudoscientific and not supported by scientific evidence. [8] [5] [9] Others say that the treatment of Irlen syndrome is a form of health fraud, that takes advantage of vulnerable people. [10]

Medical organisations that don't recognise Irlen Syndrome include the World Health Organization, American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. [11] [3]

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) released a statement in 2018, stating that there is no scientific evidence that Irlen Syndrome exists, or that the supposed treatments actually help people who struggle with reading difficulties. [3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Irlen Syndrome | Science-Based Medicine". 7 August 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Founder Helen Irlen". Irlen. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 "No scientific evidence that Irlen Syndrome exists, say ophthalmologists". RANZCO. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  4. ↑ "What is Irlen Syndrome?". Irlen. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 Miyasaka, Jordan Da Silva; Vieira, Raphael V. Gonzaga; Novalo-Goto, Elaine Shizue; Montagna, Erik; Wajnsztejn, Rubens (March 2019). "Irlen syndrome: systematic review and level of evidence analysis". Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria. 77 (3): 194–207. doi: 10.1590/0004-282X20190014 . PMID   30970133. S2CID   108293945.
  6. ↑ US4961640A,Irlen, Helen L.,"Method and apparatus of treatment of symptoms of the Irlen syndrom",issued 9 October 1990
  7. ↑ "IRLEN LENS PROGRAM at the SPECIAL EDUCATION CENTRE". The University of Newcastle, Australia. 16 October 2006. Archived from the original on 12 January 2007.
  8. ↑ Cotton M, Evans K (1990). "A review of the use of Irlen (tinted) lenses". Australian and New Zealand Journal of Ophthalmology. 18 (3): 307–12. doi:10.1111/j.1442-9071.1990.tb00625.x. PMID   2261178.
  9. ↑ LaBrot Z, Dufrene B (2019). "Chapter 5: Learning". In Hupp S (ed.). Pseudoscience in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy: A Skeptical Field Guide. Cambridge University Press. pp. 66–79. doi:10.1017/9781316798096.007. ISBN   9781107175310. S2CID   240819473.
  10. ↑ Travers JC, Ayers K, Simpson RL, Crutchfield S (2016). "Fad, Pseudoscientific, and Controversial Interventions". In Lang R, Hancock T, Singh N (eds.). Early Intervention for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder –Evidence-Based Practices in Behavioral Health. Springer. pp. 257–293. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-30925-5_9. ISBN   978-3-319-30923-1. [We] consider this method to be a classic example of a commercial enterprise preying on vulnerable and desperate individuals in search of simple solutions for developmental disorders and disabilities
  11. ↑ Autism, Altogether (6 June 2023). "Irlen Syndrome: A controversial condition associated with autism". Altogether Autism. Retrieved 16 October 2025. name=":2"
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