684 Berkmar Circle
Charlottesville, VA 22901
 
434.922.1900

Dr. Melissa Adams is a certified Irlen Syndrome® Screener, providing services for Charlottesville, Virginia, and the surrounding areas.

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Irlen Syndrome® (also known as Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome) is a neurological condition in which the brain has difficulty processing visual information which can create a variety of difficulty with reading, headaches, a preference for dim lighting, fatigue, attention and concentration issues, skipping words or lines, misreading words, and a wide variety of other symptoms and signs, some of which may be severe and others mild. Some individuals experience things such as words moving on the page, blurry words, and other visual distortions.

 

This is a condition is not screened for by eye doctors, pediatricians, or any other healthcare provider, unless they have taken the necessary steps to become an Irlen Syndrome® Screener or diagnostician. Many individuals diagnosed with Irlen Syndrome® have great visual acuity (corrected or uncorrected) and no eye health issues. Many of those diagnosed in adulthood are very successful in their life and career.

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Irlen Syndrome® is not a condition which someone grows out of, can exercise their way out of, an indication that someone needs more practice reading, or one that can be resolved with vision therapy. This is a lifelong condition with noninvasive treatment. One way to address Irlen Syndrome® is through filters which are colored lenses in glasses and are prescribed only by an Irlen Syndrome® diagnostician.

 

Another treatment option is overlays prescribed by a certified Irlen Syndrome® screener. These are specific colored sheets of plastic, and through the screening process, the screener is able to figure out what colors and in what order they need to be in, for the person to experience fewer or no symptoms.​ 

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​​Dr. Adams is a certified Irlen Syndrome® Screener, one of very few (if any) in the area, and is able to prescribe overlays for individuals from about the age of 6 through adulthood. Individuals seeking to be screened for Irlen Syndrome® do not have to be chiropractic patients. ​

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Who should be screened for Irlen Syndrome®? Anyone with any symptoms while reading, ranging from fatigue, headache, nausea, and migraine to avoiding reading altogether. Dr. Adams has screened children as young as 6 up to some in their mid-60s. Some have been children with previously diagnosed disabilities, children reading below age-level, adults experiencing symptoms while reading or doing computer work, and others.

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If helpful ... Irlen Syndrome® affects ... 14% of the population, 30% of those with ADHD and/or autism, 10% of those who are good readers and/or gifted, 46% of those with learning disabilities, and many of those who have experienced concussions. There are also many who do not fit any of these categories, but have benefited from being screened and using overlays or filters.

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If you are wondering if you and/or your child would benefit from being screened for Irlen Syndrome®, contact us and we will schedule a free brief call where we can discuss if this would be an appropriate step. If you and/or your child are diagnosed with Irlen Syndrome®, you will leave the office with your first set of overlays and instructions on how to proceed. Additionally, an accommodation letter is provided should it be needed for work, school, and/or exams.