Meares-Irlen Syndrome
"According to Irlen UK, up to 14% of people may be affected by the condition"
Definition:
Meares-Irlen Syndrome, also known as Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, is a perceptual processing disorder that affects the brain's ability to process visual information. It is not an optical problem, but rather a neurological one that impacts how the brain interprets visual stimuli.
Presentation:
Individuals with Irlen Syndrome often experience discomfort or difficulty when reading, writing, or processing visual information. This condition can manifest in various ways, such as light sensitivity, difficulty with depth perception, or visual distortions.
These visual stress symptoms can lead to headaches, eye strain, and fatigue. People with Irlen Syndrome might struggle with tasks that require prolonged focus on visual content, such as reading a book or looking at a computer screen.
Experience for People with Autism:
For individuals with Autism, Irlen Syndrome can exacerbate sensory sensitivities and make daily activities more challenging. They may feel overwhelmed by certain lighting conditions, experience difficulty concentrating, or find it hard to interpret visual cues.
This can affect their ability to perform tasks efficiently and may lead to increased anxiety or frustration.
By implementing these accommodations, workplaces can significantly improve the comfort and productivity of employees with Irlen Syndrome, creating a more inclusive environment for all.
Common Traits:
• Light sensitivity, especially to fluorescent or bright lights
• Difficulty reading or frequent loss of place while reading
• Perception of text as wavy, blurry, or moving on the page
• Poor depth perception, leading to clumsiness or difficulty judging distances
• Eye strain, headaches, or fatigue after reading or screen use
• Difficulty with contrast and patterns, leading to visual distortions