What is Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome?

Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, (also referred to as Irlen Syndrome and Visual Stress) is a perceptual processing disorder. It is not an optical problem. It is a problem with the brain’s ability to process visual information. This problem tends to run in families and is not currently identified by other standardized educational or medical tests.
Scotopic Sensitivity Self-Test
If you answer yes to 3 or more of the following questions, your child may benefit from Irlen Spectral Filters or using overlays at school.  To learn more schedule a consultation.

• Poor eye contact?
• Difficulty  interpreting facial expressions?
• Look in short glances?
• Look away from visual targets?
• Squint or look down?
• Sideways glace?
• Rub or push on eyes?
• Bothered by lights or patterns?
• Have poor social interaction?
• Prefer shade to direct sunlight?
• Have poor spatial or body awareness?
• Appear sensitive to light?
• Appear clumsy or bump into things?
• Have difficulty catching a ball?
• Fascinated by visual patterns?
• Have behavioral difficulties?
• Have academic difficulties?
• Problem with reading and copying?
• Poor gross and/or small motor skills?

Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome Affects:

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

This problem can manifest itself differently for each individual. This problem is not remediable and is often a lifetime barrier to learning and performance. If you suffer from any of the following, Irlen Syndrome might be your problem:

• Print looks different
• Environment looks different
• Slow or inefficient reading
• Poor comprehension
• Eye strain
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Difficulty with math computation
• Difficulty copying
• Difficulty reading music
• Poor sports performance
• Poor depth-perception
• Low motivation
• Low self-esteem

Symptoms of Scotopic Sensitivity
Light Sensitivity:

• Bothered by glare, fluorescent lights, bright lights, sunlight and sometimes lights at night
• Some individuals experience physical symptoms and feel tired, sleepy, dizzy, anxious, or irritable. Others experience headaches, mood changes, restlessness or have difficulty staying focused, especially with bright or fluorescent lights.

Reading Problems:

• Poor comprehension
• Misreads words
• Problems tracking from line to line
• Reads in dim light
• Skips words or lines
• Reads slowly or hesitantly
• Takes breaks
• Loses place
• Avoids reading

Discomfort:

• Strain and fatigue
• Tired or sleepy
• Headaches or nausea
• Fidgety or restless
• Eyes that hurt or become watery

Attention and Concentration Problems:

• Problems with concentration when reading and doing academic tasks
• Often people can appear to have other conditions, such as attention deficit disorder, and are given medication unnecessarily.

Writing Problems:

• Trouble copying
• Unequal spacing
• Unequal letter size
• Writing up or downhill
• Inconsistent spelling

Other Characteristics:

• Strain or fatigue from computer use
• Difficulty reading music
• Sloppy, careless math errors
• Misaligned numbers in columns
• Ineffective use of study time
• Lack of motivation
• Grades do not reflect the amount of effort

Depth Perception:

• Clumsiness
• Difficulty catching balls
• Difficulty judging distances
• Additional caution necessary while driving

Distortions:

• Words on the page lack clarity or stability; i.e., may appear to be blurry, moving, or disappear

Information copied from Irlen.com