Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

A Functional Neuroimaging Case Study of Meares–Irlen Syndrome/Visual Stress (MISViS)

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Brain Topography Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the data from a participant in a reading study who had a diagnosis of Meares–Irlen syndrome/visual stress (MISViS). MISViS is characterised by visual distortions and somatic issues, which are remediated using coloured filters. The authors present a case study providing descriptive neurobiological comparisons of MISViS versus a control group. The study involved eleven English language speakers who participated in behavioural and neuroimaging versions of a language experiment with varied proportions of regular and exception words. Behavioural measures included accuracy and response times. Neuroimaging was conducted using a 1.5T Siemens Sonata MRI. The MISViS participant’s data were removed from the overall experiment and analysed as a case study. Impulse response functions (IRFs) and percentage of active voxels were extracted from four regions of interest: BAs 17, 18, 19, and the postcentral gyrus (PG) and two control regions (BA6 and left BA45). The results indicated that significant differences existed between the control group and the MISViS participant for IRF intensity in two regions (BA6 and PG) and percentage of active voxels in four regions (BA17, BA19, PG, and BA6). No significant differences occurred in left BA45 for either variable of interest. No significant differences were found for behavioural measures. In conclusion, our findings offer one of the first neurobiological descriptions of differences in IRF intensity and percentage of active voxels in visual and somatosensory cortex during a language experiment for a participant with MISViS in the absence of migraine compared to controls.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Because MISViS primarily involves the sense of vision, early research focused on possible optometric or ocular motor issues. However, since research has since shown that optometric issues are a correlate of MISViS as opposed to an underlying cause (Evans et al. 1995, 1996; Scott et al. 2002), we determined that our case study would not be dependent on optometric information.

References

  • Allen PM, Gilchrist JM, Hollis J (2008) Use of visual search in the assessment of pattern-related visual stress (PRVS) and its alleviation by colored filters. Investig Ophthalmol Vis Sci 49(9):4210–4218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allen PM, Hussain A, Usherwood C, Wilkins AJ (2010) Pattern-related visual stress, chromaticity, and accommodation. Investig Ophthalmol Vis Sci 51(12):6843–6849

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balota DA, Yap MJ, Cortese MJ, Hutchison KA, Kessler B, Loftis B et al (2007) The English lexicon project. Behav Res Methods 39:445–459

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blaskey P, Scheiman M, Parisi M, Ciner EB, Gallaway M, Selznick R (1990) The effectiveness of Irlen filters for improving reading performance: a pilot study. J Learn Disabil 23(10):604–612

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Borowsky R, Cummine J, Owen WJ, Friesen CK, Shih F, Sarty G (2006) fMRI of ventral and dorsal processing streams in basic reading processes: insular sensitivity to phonology. Brain Topogr 18:233–239

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Borsting E, Ridder WH III, Dudeck K, Kelley C, Matsui L, Motoyama J (1995) The presence of a magnocellular defect depends on the type of dyslexia. Vis Res 36(7):1047–1053

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouldoukian J, Wilkins AJ, Evans BJW (2002) Randomised controlled trial of the effect of coloured overlays on the rate of reading of people with specific learning difficulties. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 22:55–60

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chase C, Ashourzadeh A, Kelly C, Monfette S, Kinsey K (2003) Can the magnocellular pathway read? Evidence from studies of color. Vis Res 43:1211–1222

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Conlon EG, Lovegrove WJ, Chekaluk E, Pattison PE (1999) Measuring visual discomfort. Vis Cogn 6(6):637–663

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Conlon EG, Sanders MA, Wright CM (2009) Relationships between global motion and global form processing, practice, cognitive and visual processing in adults with dyslexia or visual discomfort. Neuropsychologia 47:907–915

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cotton MM, Evans KM (1990) An evaluation of the Irlen lenses as a treatment for specific reading disorders. Aust J Psychol 42(1):1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cox RW (1996) AFNI: software for analysis and visualization of functional magnetic resonance neuroimages. Comput Biomed Res 29:162–173. [AFNI 3-D anatomical brain http://afni.nimh.nih.gov/old/afni/astrip+orig.HEAD (and BRIK)]

  • Evans BJW, Drasdo N (1991) Tinted lenses and related therapies for learning disabilities—a review. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 11:206–217

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Evans BJW, Cook A, Richards IL, Drasdo N (1994) Effect of pattern glare and colored overlays on a simulated-reading task in dyslexics and normal readers. Optom Vis Sci 71(10):619–628

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Evans BJW, Busby A, Jeanes R, Wilkins AJ (1995) Optometric correlates of Meares–Irlen syndrome: a matched group study. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 15(5):481

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Evans BJW, Wilkins AJ, Brown J, Busby A, Wingfield A, Jeanes R, Bald J (1996) A preliminary investigation into the aetiology of Meares–Irlen syndrome. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 16(4):286–296

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gole A, Dibden SN, Pearson (1989) Tinted lenses & dyslexics—a controlled study. Aust NZ J Ophthalmol 17(2):137–141

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hino Y, Lupker SJ (1998) The effects of word frequency for Japanese Kana and Kanji words in naming and lexical decision: can the dual-route model save the lexical-selection account? J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform 24:1431–1453

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hino Y, Lupker SJ (2000) Effects of word frequency and spelling-to-sound regularity in naming with and without preceding lexical decision. J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform 26:166–183

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hollis J, Allen PM (2006) Screening for Meares–Irlen sensitivity in adults: can assessment methods predict changes in reading speed? Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 26:566–571

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hollis J, Allen PM, Fleischmann D, Aulak R (2007) Personality dimensions of people who suffer from visual stress. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 27:603–610

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang J, Cooper TG, Satana B, Kaufman DI, Cao Y (2003) Visual distortion provoked by a stimulus in migraine associated with hyperneuronal activity. Headache 43:664–671

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Huang J, Zong X, Wilkins A, Jenkins B, Bozoki A, Cao Y (2011) fMRI evidence that precision ophthalmic tints reduce cortical hyperactivation in migraine. Cephalagia 31:925–936

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hubel DH (1995) Eye, brain, and vision. Scientific American Library, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Irlen H (1983) Successful Treatment of Learning Disabilities. In: Paper presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association, Anaheim

  • Irlen H (1998) Irlen method & reading problems. Retrieved 15 June 2011, from Irlen Institute Web site http://irlen.com/index.php?id=145

  • Irlen H (1999) Irlen reading perceptual scale, revised. Perceptual Development Corporation, Long Beach

    Google Scholar 

  • Irlen H (2010) The Irlen revolution: how a simple method can change the lives of children and adults with LD, AD/HD, TBI, dyslexia, autism, headaches, medical conditions, and much more. Square One Publishers, Garden City Park

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeanes R, Busby A, Martin J, Lewis E, Stevenson N, Pointon D, Wilkins A (1997) Prolonged use of coloured overlays for classroom reading. Br J Psychol 88:531–548

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keen AG, Lovegrove WJ (2000) Transient deficit hypothesis and dyslexia: examination of whole-parts relationship, retinal sensitivity, and spatial and temporal frequencies. Vis Res 40:705–715

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kriss I, Evans BJW (2005) The relationship between dyslexia and Meares–Irlen syndrome. J Res Read 28(3):350–364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kruk R, Sumbler K, Willows D (2008) Visual processing characteristics of children with Meares–Irlen syndrome. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 28:35–46

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lightstone A, Lightstone T, Wilkins A (1999) Both coloured overlays and coloured lenses can improve reading fluency, but their optimal chromaticities differ. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 19(4):279–285

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meares O (1980) Figure/ground brightness contrast, and reading disabilities. Visible Lang 14:13–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Nandakumar K, Leat SJ (2008) Dyslexia: a review of two theories. Clin Exp Optom 91(4):333–340

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Riddell PM, Wilkins A, Hainline L (2006) The effect of colored lenses on the visual evoked response in children with visual stress. Optom Vis Sci 83(5):299–305

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson GL, Foreman PJ (1999) Scotopic sensitivity/Irlen syndrome and the use of coloured filters: a long-term placebo-controlled study of reading strategies using analysis of miscue. Percept Motor Skill 88:35–52

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scott L, McWhinnie H, Taylor L, Stevenson N, Irons P, Lewis E, Evans M, Evans B, Wilkins A (2002) Coloured overlays in schools: orthoptic and optometric findings. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 22:156–165

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Simmers AJ, Bex PJ, Smith FKH, Wilkins A (2001) Spatiotemporal visual function in tinted lens wearers. Investig Ophthalmol Vis Sci 42(3):879–884

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stein J (2003) Visual motion sensitivity and reading. Neuropsychologia 41:1785–1793

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stein J, Walsh V (1997) To see but not to read; the magnocellular theory of dyslexia. Trends NeuroSci 20(4):147–152

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tyrrell R, Holland K, Dennis D, Wilkins A (1995) Coloured overlays, visual discomfort, visual search and classroom reading. J Res Read 18(1):10–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White S, Milne E, Rosen S, Hansen P, Swettenham J, Frith U, Ramus F (2006) The role of sensorimotor impairments in dyslexia: a multiple case study of dyslexic children. Dev Sci 9(3):237–269

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins A (1993) Reading and visual discomfort. In: Willows EM, Kruk RS, Corcos E (eds) Visual processes in reading and reading disabilities. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, pp 435–456

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins A (1994) Overlays for classroom and optometric use. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 14:97–99

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins A (1995) Visual stress. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins A (2003) Reading through colour: how coloured filters can reduce reading difficulty, eye strain and headaches. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins AJ, Evans BJW (2001, 2010) Pattern glare test instructions. I.O.O. Sales Ltd, London

  • Wilkins A, Lewis E (1999) Coloured overlays, text, and texture. Perception 28:641–650

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins AJ, Neary C (1991) Some visual, optometric and perceptual effects of coloured glasses. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 11:163–171

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins AJ, Nimmo-Smith MI (1987) The clarity and comfort of printed text. Ergonomics 30(12):1705–1720

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins A, Nimmo-Smith I, Tait A, McManus C, Sala SD, Tilley A, Arnold K, Barrie M, Scott S (1984) A neurological basis for visual discomfort. Brain 107:989–1017

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins A, Milroy R, Nimmo-Smith I, Wright A, Tyrrell R, Holland K, Martin J, Bald J, Yale S, Miles T, Noakes T (1992a) Preliminary observations concerning treatment of visual discomfort and associated perceptual distortion. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 12:257–263

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins AJ, Nimmo-Smith I, Jansons JE (1992b) Colorimeter for the intuitive manipulation of hue and saturation and its role in the study of perceptual distortion. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 12:381–385

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins AJ, Evans BJW, Brown JA, Busby AE, Wingfield AE, Jeanes RJ, Bald J (1994) Double-masked placebo-controlled trial of precision spectral filters in children who use coloured overlays. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 14:365–370

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins AJ, Jeanes RJ, Pumfrey PD, Laskier M (1996) Rate of reading test®: its reliability, and its validity in the assessment of the effects of coloured overlays. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 16(6):491–497

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins AJ, Lewis E, Smith F, Rowland E, Tweedie W (2001) Coloured overlays and their benefit for reading. J Res Read 24(1):41–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins A, Huang J, Cao Y (2004) Visual stress theory and its application to reading and reading tests. J Res Read 27(2):152–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins AJ, Sihra N, Myers A (2005) Increasing reading speed by using colours: issues concerning reliability and specificity and their theoretical and practical implications. Perception 34:109–120

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins A, Huang J, Cao Y (2007) Prevention of Visual stress and migraine with precision spectral filters. Drug Dev Res 68:469–475

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao Y, Wang Y, Felleman DJ (2003) A spatially organized representation of colour in macaque cortical area V2. Nature 421:535–539

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors have no commercial interest in tinted lenses or related therapies for learning disabilities. The authors would like to thank all participants for their involvement in this study and two anonymous reviewers for their insight and guidance.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    Brea D. Chouinard, Esther S. Kim & Jacqueline Cummine

  2. Centre for Neuroscience, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    Stanislau Hrybouski & Jacqueline Cummine

  3. Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    Crystal I. Zhou

Authors
  1. Brea D. Chouinard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Crystal I. Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Stanislau Hrybouski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Esther S. Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jacqueline Cummine
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brea D. Chouinard.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chouinard, B.D., Zhou, C.I., Hrybouski, S. et al. A Functional Neuroimaging Case Study of Meares–Irlen Syndrome/Visual Stress (MISViS). Brain Topogr 25, 293–307 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10548-011-0212-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10548-011-0212-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation