The effects of wearing glasses with Irlen spectral filters on self-esteem, partner relationship satisfaction, quality of life, adrenal burnout and other problems experienced by a blind adult with light perception and scotopic sensitivity syndrome

Case study

Abstract

Scotopic sensitivity syndrome or Irlen syndrome is a disorder of sensory regulation that causes a range of symptoms, including deficits in the processing of visual information and sensitivity to light, and affects brain function. The syndrome can affect well-being, headaches, depression, sensitivity to light, school grades, sports activities, coordination, communication, learning, reading, and so on and can have a major impact on the quality of life.

We investigated whether the successful correction of the syndrome with glasses with coloured Irlen filters also affects other individual factors that contribute to the quality of life of an adult blind person with light perception (V. category of blindness) and with scotopic syndrome. We conducted a case study and found that, according to measurements before and after wearing glasses with coloured Irlen filters over a period of 3 months , there was an improvement in life satisfaction, marital satisfaction and self-esteem. The burnout rate dropped, but there were no changes in the individual’s risk level for developing adrenal burnout syndrome. Improvements were found in the areas of sensitivity to light, fatigue in the car and attention / concentration. The participant also reported that she no longer felt irritable, moody, tired, exhausted, no longer cried for no reason, her hypersensitivity to noise had decreased, and her hypersensitivity to light (fluorescent lighting, strong sun, snow) had since she wore glasses with coloured Irlen filters disappeared.

Bearing in mind that there may be many problems associated with scotopic syndrome, we would presume that adults with this syndrome are likely to seek psychotherapeutic help (more often), so psychotherapists could be the ones to recognize the problem with the syndrome and direct the individual to get help and, after correction of the syndrome, offer effective assistance to the individual.