Irlen Screener- Visual Processing Clinics

Scotopic Sensitivity/Irlen Syndrome is a visual-perceptual problem which occurs in some people with learning/reading disorders, autism, and other developmental disorders. People with Scotopic Sensitivity/Irlen Syndrome experience ‘perceptual stress’ which can lead to a variety of perceptual distortions when reading and/or viewing their environment. Scotopic Sensitivity is triggered by one or more components of light, such as the source of the light (e.g., fluorescent lighting, sun), luminance (e.g., reflection, glare), intensity (i.e., brightness), wavelength (i.e., color), and/or color contrast.

The Irlen Lens System, developed by Helen Irlen, was designed to treat Scotopic Sensitivity/Irlen Syndrome. Helen Irlen has developed two methods to treat Scotopic Sensitivity: (1) the use of colored transparencies or overlays to improve reading; and (2) tinted glasses to improve one’s visual perception of his/her environment.

Helen Irlen has developed effective methods for determining if a person suffers from Scotopic Sensitivity/Irlen Syndrome. She has also designed a standardized set of procedures which can determine the correct color prescription for the transparency and the tinted lenses.