Dizziness in a Child With Irlen Syndrome: Differentiating Visual and Vestibular Complaints.

PURPOSE: A case study of a 12-year-old boy with Irlen syndrome illustrates the overlapping symptoms of Irlen syndrome and vestibular-related dizziness.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS: Individuals with Irlen syndrome have eyestrain and headache, and often report visual perceptual distortions of blurring, doubling, and movement of print on the page. These symptoms can be relieved with the use of individually prescribed tinted lenses or overlays. Visually induced dizziness, also known as visual vertigo, is characterized by dizziness and/or unsteadiness that is triggered by complex, distorted, large field/moving visual stimuli. Visually induced dizziness can be effectively treated with progressive, controlled exposure to optokinetic visual stimuli. The child with Irlen syndrome had impaired balance, impaired gaze stability, and symptoms of visual vertigo. His complaint of visually induced dizziness resolved following vestibular rehabilitation.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: When an individual with Irlen syndrome complains of dizziness, ruling out a concomitant diagnosis of a central and/or peripheral vestibular disorder is warranted.

WHAT THIS ADDS TO THE EVIDENCE: The visual symptoms associated with Irlen syndrome can overlap with those of visually induced dizziness. This case report is the first to describe overlapping visual and vestibular complaints of dizziness in an individual with Irlen syndrome.