Irlen Syndrome is a condition which often impacts someone's ability to comfortably read and comprehend what they have read. They often experience a wide variety of symptoms including headache, fatigue, nausea, words/letters moving on the page, and more, although these symptoms vary significantly between individuals.
Irlen Syndrome is considered to be caused by the individual's brain having a hyper-reactive (think - overstimulated) response to specific wavelengths of light. The specific wavelengths of light that are problematic can vary widely between individuals, which is why screening and testing is required by a trained screener or diagnostician.
In this study, they looked at fMRI studies of 15 individuals (13-42 years old) who had Irlen Syndrome. They had been given colored lenses, specific to what helps them, and had reported improved reading with their specific colored lenses which had helped them to improve their reading speed by more than 20%.
The participants were screened thoroughly to ensure there was not another potential reason for their reading difficulties or for their use/preference of the colored lenses. They had a thorough eye exam and neurological and psychiatric disorders were ruled out.
The study had the individuals reading without the colored lenses while having the initial fMRI, and then reading again during an fMRI while wearing their colored lenses.
The average reading speed in words-per-minute before wearing their colored lenses, was 107, and while wearing their colored lenses, the average reading speed was 130 words-per-minute, a statitistically significant difference.
The fMRI helped researchers to see the specific area of the brain which was activated while the participants wore their colored lenses (the left middle and superior temporal gyri for those who may be interested). This was not seen when the participants were not wearing the colored lenses. The area of the brain seen to be activated, is the area of the brain often considered to be involved in reading comprehension.
Dr. Adams is an Irlen Syndrome Screener, located in Charlottesville, Virginia. She has helped several individuals through screening them and ultimately providing them with their first set of overlays. Give us a call to learn more! 4349221900
The article, referenced below, has the fMRI images showing the brain activation as a result of the colored lenses.
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