Many people (particularly children) who are experiencing Irlen Syndrome symptoms can be misdiagnosed as having ADHD due to the similarity in observed behaviour between these two conditions. AMEN Clinic California, reports Irlen Syndrome affects 12-14% of the general population. It also afflicts 33% of people with ADHD or autism, nearly 50% of individuals with reading or learning challenges and 55% with head injury, concussion or whiplash.
Research published in 2023 involving fifty-nine adults (age 18-50), diagnosed with both ADHD and visual stress received either Irlen Spectral Filters or no intervention. Results were measured at 3 months (short-term) and 6 months (long-term) after intervention. Of those provided with spectral filters, after 3 months, 49% of participants and after 6 months, 64% of participants no longer met the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis as determined by the DSM-5 manual used by psychiatrists.