Depending on the degree of their condition, people with Irlen Syndrome may have difficulty reading any text that is printed in black on a white background. This is because the contrast of black on white is too high for their eyes to process. They may also have difficulty reading anything written in color, especially vibrant colors. If you have a close relative who struggles with reading, it can be helpful to have them try using a gray background instead of black and white.
Distorted and unusual letter shapes
People with this condition have difficulty discerning between shades of color and perceive letters as blurry and distorted. They are able to read larger-print books, but struggle with regular fonts. Their handwriting is also distinctive, with letters resembling C, U, or L shapes, and some people even write backward or with their hands covering their eyes.
Color tones that are too bright or too dark
The most apparent difference is that people with color confusion can’t see color the way people without the condition do. They struggle to differentiate between shades of color and judge whether or not an object is the right color. As a result, they often choose colors that are too bright or too dark for their surroundings.
High contrast between light and dark
People with a condition called Irlen Syndrome often have difficulty reading in normal lighting or with lower contrast. In order to see clearly, they need more light (or brighter lights) or lower contrast in their environment. For example, if you’re sitting in a dimly lit room, you’ll need a lamp or brighter wall lights to be able to read.
Irregular or unusual spaces between words or letters
People with dyslexia and a type of color vision deficiency called color confusion are among those who see the world differently in the presence of background noise. When background noise is present, people with color confusion experience dark, blurry, or flickering images. Because of the flickering effect, people with color confusion have difficulty reading, writing, spelling, and recognizing colors. They also have difficulty speaking in front of a group.
Carousels and spirals
When reading, people with Irlen Syndrome often perceive information as a jumbled mess. They have difficulty focusing and remembering what they’ve read, which can impact their academic performance. Because of this, many people with this condition use both color and black and white text for reading and writing.
Artwork with bright, contrasting colors
People with Irlen Syndrome see the world differently. The way they see the color red is different from the way most people do. People with this condition have difficulty perceiving certain colors, especially red and green. This condition affects between one in 25 and one in 50 people and is hereditary.
Colorful patterns
The world looks slightly different to someone with Irlen Syndrome. Colours can be brighter or darker, depending on the amount of light a person is exposed to. They may struggle to read even short passages, find it hard to decipher maps and struggle to understand metaphors. Typically, they have a great sense of smell and taste.
Conclusion
Defining what someone with Irlen Syndrome sees is much more complicated than it sounds. If you have this condition, you may have difficulty reading, spelling, or comprehending written language. You may also have difficulties understanding spatial relationships or cause confusion when you see objects that are similar but different.
Related Links
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