Testing and treatment for Irlen Syndrome, Low Vision consulting, magnifiers and lighting support in Northland. For people with Low Vision
At The Eye Lady, I believe that changes in vision shouldn’t limit your ability to enjoy and engage with the world. As a dedicated Dispensing Optician, I understand the unique challenges of low vision. With a passion for enhancing quality of life, I provide compassionate care and essential resources to support you on your journey. I am committed to creating a supportive environment where you can access valuable information, connect with others facing similar challenges, and discover effective strategies for navigating daily life with confidence. As your trusted partner, I offer personalised guidance in selecting low vision aids and technologies that can significantly improve your independence and daily experiences. Whether you’re seeking information, support, or simply a friendly conversation, I am here to help. Take the first step towards living well with low vision by scheduling an assessment with me today. Together, we’ll ensure you continue to live a fulfilling and empowered life, regardless of vision challenges. What is Irlen Syndrome? Irlen Syndrome, also known as Scotopic Sensitivity, is a perceptual processing disorder which affects how the brain perceives light. It occurs when the brain’s sensitivity to particular light wavelengths prevents it from correctly processing visual information from the eyes. The brain becomes overactive when exposed to particular wavelengths of light, resulting in visual sensory overload. Sometimes this can also appear as light sensitivity, but is it much more complex than that. Often mis-diagnosed as dyslexia, ADHD, or behavioural problems, Irlen Syndrome affects between 11-14% of the general population, and about 60% of those with other learning difficulties. Irlen Syndrome affects the way that individuals process visual information, which means they see things different to how they really appear. The visual system causes normal things we see to become distorted affecting the way individuals go about their daily tasks and can manifest in a whole range of different ways. Words can appear to be flashing, moving, blurring, or doubling up on a page. For some people the letters can swirl, shimmer, appear three dimensional or even seem to lift off or sink into the page. Individuals with Irlen tire more easily from routine tasks involving vision as the brain requires significant effort to process and make sense of sensory information. As a result, simple tasks such as reading can become extremely challenging. This over-activity of the brain contributes to the diverse symptoms often associated with the condition
Physical symptoms can include:
Sensitivity to light
Eye strain
Watery eyes and a need to rub them
Headaches and migraines
Fatigue
Nausea, motion sickness or dizziness
Visual symptoms can include:
Text moving on the page
Difficulty focussing on the right text
Blurred vision
Sensations of swirling, flashing, moving text
Difficulty viewing patterns or contrasting colours
Text jumping off the page, or sinking into it
Difficulty judging the speed and distance of objects
Associated disorders
Irlen Syndrome is often associated with dyslexia due to their shared symptoms, but they are actually separate disorders. That doesn’t mean that some individuals won’t have both disabilities. There is a significant crossover with other sensory or attention processing disorders such as ADHD, audio-processing disorder, or autistic spectrum disorders. In addition, it can be synonymous with other learning disorders such as dyspraxia (a developmental coordination disorder), dysgraphia (a condition which impairs writing ability), and dyscalculia (difficulty learning or understanding mathematics). The impact on individuals is immense and for some, it may serve as a lifelong obstacle to learning and achievement.
