"Scotopic sensitivity syndrome, also known as Irlen Syndrome and Visual Stress Syndrome, approximating in some ways to Meares Irlen syndrome, and 'Visual Stress', refers to visual perceptual disorder(s) affecting primarily reading and writing based activities.

Its existence is not recognized by some major medical organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the American Optometric Association"

There have been claims that tinted glasses can aid in dyslexia but Donna Williams, in her book 'Like Colour To The Blind' writes about her experience of tinted lenses (Irlen filters) claiming they enabled her to overcome face blindness, inability to learn to read facial expression and body language and the social consequences of these impairments.

On her web site she states she stocks these as 'an autism test range of tinted lenses' at $179.95 and 'encourage(s) children and adults to self test and rate for themselves which tints, if any they find most effective'

I already have posted that I'm unhappy about the promotion and selling of unsubstantiated products (most Irlen lenses have not received scientific evaluation)* in this way but you continue to post these 'inspirational' links which is, of course, your 'right' as it is mine to point this out again


Lizzie on Jan 26th you addressed me directly with the comment

"Each to their own.

I have two children on the circle, dear and very talented friends on the circle, relatives on the circle, and I know, only too well, that many of them have amazing gifts.

Half empty
Half full

The choice is yours."

Now I don't know about you but when I use the second person singular when replying to someone, as you did again at 11.34, it normally in mine, and most people's, understanding does not refer to 'everyone'.


*The association of scotopic sensitivity syndrome and dyslexia has been challenged by many authors in both the optometric and ophthalmologic communities. but recent scientific evidence suggests a weak association.
Tinted lenses and dyslexics—a controlled study. SPELD (S.A.) Tinted Lenses Study Group.
Gole GA, Dibden SN, Pearson CC, Pidgeon KJ, Mann JW, Rice D, Rooney KF, Hannell G, Fitzgerald BA, Kortman JY, et al.
SPELD Incorporated, Kensington, South Australia.
"We have carried out a randomised prospective controlled trial of the effect of tinted lenses on the reading ability of 24 non-asthmatic dyslexic children aged between nine and twelve years. Reading ability was assessed using the Neale Analysis of Reading. After one school term, there was no significant difference in the change in reading age between treatment and control groups. After two school terms (approximately six months), only 11 children (44%) were still wearing the glasses. Of 381 suitable subjects for entry into the study, 208 were excluded because of a diagnosis of asthma (to avoid effects of medication on cerebral function). As a result, we may have excluded subjects who would have responded favourably to tinted lenses