Prevalence of symptoms of scotopic sensitivity syndrome/Irlen syndrome

Abstract

Scotopic sensitivity syndrome is a visual perceptual disorder characterised by light sensitivity, slow reading and difficulty in judging distance etc. The aim of the present investigation is to observe the prevalence of symptoms of scotopic sensitivity syndrome/Irlen syndrome in healthy college and school going students. A sample of 103 (n = 103) college and school going students (boys & girls) age range from 12 to 25 years from Agra and Kashipur city, India, has participated in the present study. To measure the prevalence rate of the symptoms of scotopic sensitivity, “The Irlen Syndrome (Visual Sensory Stress) Self-Test: Short” (1994) was administered. The results showed that up to 50% of the students have reported positive on the major ten symptoms of the scotopic sensitivity syndrome. Therefore, it is important for every school, college and educational professionals not to avoid or misinterpret the complaints of students regarding reading difficulties and concentration problems. It might be the symptoms of scotopic sensitivity syndrome not just an excuse to escape from study.