The Effect of Colored Overlays on Reading Eye Movements in Adults

Irlen coined the term Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome (SSS) to describe a number of conditions that interfere with reading. She suggested that close to 90% of individuals could be successfully treated with tints. However, few, if any studies have shown significant objective improvement in performance or symptoms. Reading eye movements of 60 adult subjects were measured. Two test groups (symptomatic vs. asymptomatic) were identified via the use of a validated survey. Each subject was tested with each of 10 short reading passages and 10 colored overlays, in two separate visits. Color filters were not found to have an effect on any of the variables measured. The two groups and two sessions were significantly different for all six dependent reading eye movement variables. Seventy-three percent of symptomatic patients and 27% of asymptomatic patients had an identifiable binocular disorder. No significant change in the six dependent variables, as measured by the Visagraph, was found with any of the selected colored overlays. Significant findings were found for sessions, passages and groups, but were not related to tinted filters. The