Does anyone have any experience on Irlens Syndrome? Glasses with coloured lenses???

[mynaughtylittlesister]

DD was diagnosed with irlens about 3 yrs ago, she was supplied with 2 coloured overlays to help which she used for a few months and then gradually stopped using. She was too embarrassed using them.

Today School rang me and told me that they are really worried about DDs Irlens etc. Apparently she is not only now having trouble with reading but writing too! They want me to contact an opticians and get them to do another test on her, with the option that she will have to wear glasses that have coloured lenses.

Does anyone else's DC have this problem and do their DC use overlays or coloured lenses. If so how old is DC?

They also mentioned that DDs eyes were rather large and was I aware of it?
DD has titian coloured hair, and her skin is very fair. She has lovely blue eyes. I do know that her eyes are very sensitive to light because when she goes to the opticians, the light that they shine in her eys makes them water really really badly and she looks like she is crying.

TBH, just taken a little aback as I have just googled Irlens again this evening, and the majority looks like someone had been observing my DD, and now I feel a horrid Mum as I give hard time esp with lack of concerntration etc.

Irlens is often a symptom/associated with dyslexia. Many dyslexic children have Irlens although I have to inform you it is controversial- some experts do not believe it exists as a separate condition, but is part of an "umbrella" of learning prblems, consisting mainly of visual processing problems resulting in dyslexia.

I am totally amazed that school mention the size of her eyes or the colour of her eyes- schools rarely know anything about learning conditions unless they have a specialist teacher- so I think they are panicking you unecessarily.

My advice to you would be to pursue her problems with writing and reading from the possibility that she is dyslexic and/or has visual processing problems. There are specialist opticians who deal with this, but coloured overlays is only one way of dealing with it and not a panacea solution.

Thanks HTTM. I did talk to Teacher about Dyslexia and she was pretty sure that DD did not actually have that.

I will try and find an opticians that does the test etc, although I am not entirely sure DD will wear glasses with coloured lenses. She is just 15!

It was my understanding that Irlens (or scotopic sensitivity) is a separate condition to dyslexia. I've taught children with coloured lenses - it really wasn't an issue. They looked quite cool actually! She could choose a funky frame if that helps.

I haven't actually spoken to her yet as she is at a friends house tonight. But I will talk to her tomorrow, but I am well aware of how she fells with peer pressure. But as she only has officially 1 more year left at school I am desp to help her in any way I can.

hi sorry no advice but how did they diagnose your DD's Irlens syndrome - it has been suggested to me that DS may have it (from his music teacher) (he is borderline dyslexic) Thanks

Hi stillenacht, when DD was in Yr7, all Yr 7s were screened for it (there was a teacher at the school that was trained in it!) With all the "possible" Irlens they requested parents in and tested the children further, that is where we found out about it, TBH I had never heard of it before. Unfortunately this teacher has now left. So I am now left in finding an optician that can carry on for DD.

I have taught a few kids with it. I would say about 5 out of 10,000 kids i have taught had the special glasses but i am sure when i first started teaching (15 years ago or so) kids weren't diagnosed with it as much.

thanks also mynaughtylittlesister

I just caution you all to be aware that many experts do not believe that Irlens exists at all. It is very controversial and not a recognised condition by some. You might find out more on the BDA website .

Some children with dyslexia find that paper-glare affects their reading, so coloured overlays or glasses can help.

Many enthusiasts of the Irelns syndrome are also trying to sell you glasses etc to correct and it is not an independently-assessed condition.

This is part of some info on the BDDA website on Irlens: You will see that it says research and studies are flawed.
""
Research relating to investigation of accommodation and binocular vision and the role they play in reading disabilities is reviewed. Attempts are made to determine whether binocular vision and accommodative anomalies are correlates or causal factors of reading disability; based on research they are most likely to be correlates. Pattern glare and transient visual system deficits are also discussed as possible mechanisms by which colour overlays operate and research studying the effect that colour overlays have on each factor is examined. People who report visual distortions on reading that are alleviated by colour overlays are described as suffering from Meares-Irlen Syndrome.. The Irlen Differential Perceptual Schedule, which is used by the Irlen Centres to diagnose Meares-Irlen Syndrome, is examined and its flaws highlighted. Weaknesses of the studies are discussed, there are wide variations in protocol and these preclude firm conclusions being drawn. ""

Thank you HTTM. I am not going to rush into anything, I am just need to know whats what, I worry enough IYKWIM!

I'm dyslexic and used a coloued gel sheet and then coloured lenses when I was at school. I was about 13 and quickly abandoned the glasses (partly cos I forgot to take them off in between classes, and looked like a div) and partly cos I only needed it for textbooks rather than whiteboard/blackboard.

I still use it, and change the colour of the font and background on the computer and it does help...

Thanks Polk, partly thats what I am worried about. Guess I will just have to find an optician and get her retested etc before we make any decisions.

mynaughtylittlesister, I would strongly advise you to see a behavioural optometrist. Check out this list and have a look around that website as it is quite informative.
I would be one who is very cynical about Irlen syndrome, a lot of children who benefit from coloured lenses or overlays benefit better from vision therapy. And in cases where the lenses are beneficial, there is no reason why they have to be ordered at great expense from the United States when the same thing can be made in an optical lab over here far more cheaply.
Also, I am an optometrist and can't for the life of me see what the size of her eyes has to do with anything!

mynaughtylittlesister, I would strongly advise you to see a behavioural optometrist. Check out this list and have a look around that website as it is quite informative.
I would be one who is very cynical about Irlen syndrome, a lot of children who benefit from coloured lenses or overlays benefit better from vision therapy. And in cases where the lenses are beneficial, there is no reason why they have to be ordered at great expense from the United States when the same thing can be made in an optical lab over here far more cheaply.
Also, I am an optometrist and can't for the life of me see what the size of her eyes has to do with anything!

whoops!

Thank you Chipmonk, had a look on that list and unfortunately the nearest one to us is at least 2 hrs away. I am wondering if GP can advise anything! Not sure if he can, will make a non urgent appointment I think. Maybe he can refer onto school optometrist???

Dd found the overlays a bit of a hassle. She got coloured lenses and found them much better. Our local optician provided them - she has aspecial interest in this kind of problem.

There was a bit of teasing at school, but dd handled it very well. She was 10 btw.

She has eye exercises to do as well, but the glasses really help with reading/ writing at school.

They didn't cost any more than an average pair of glasses.

Thanks 3frogs. i am not too worried about cost if she wears them if she needs them. But I am very worried that if I paid for to have them - would she wear them? She has literally just turned 15 and very self conscious and worried about peer pressure!

possibly if you contact the Dyslexia Association they may be able to refer you to someone in your area? There may be an optometrist who takes a special interest in dyslexia but is not a member of BABO?

Another list!Chromagen practitioners

Meant to say, Chromagen lenses are similar to Irlen and are available in contact lens form so maybe your dd would be less likely to have a problem with wearing them?

Thank you Chipmonkey will look into the Dyslexia Association and see what they have to say.