This article appeared in the Independent Newspaper in Dundee, Michigan, Thursday, May 31, 2007:

Former Dundee pharmacist offers info. By Penny Groff.

Do you or someone you know have difficulties reading? What about driving? Playing sports, using a computer or writing? Are you sensitive to light? Difficulty with any of these could be a symptom of a visual perception problem called Irlen Syndrome. Irlen Syndrome, also known as Scoptic Sensitivity Syndrome, is a serious but not well-known problem. Visible perception is the ability to interpret visible light information. Our eyes catch light and send neural impulses to our brain, allowing us to understand what we see.The theory behind Irlen Syndrome is that certain wavelengths of light can interfere with those neural impulses between the eye and the brain. People with Irlen Syndrome have trouble focusing, concentrating and comprehending what they are looking at.

Roger Wheaton, whom residents of Dundee may recognize as owning the former Wheaton Pharmacy for many years, is working to get the word out about Irlen Syndrome. Mr. Wheaton struggled with reading and perception for most of his life until he was diagnosed with Irlen Syndrome at age 56. I remember I could read aloud in my sixth grade class, said Mr. Wheaton. But when my teacher would ask me questions about what I had just read, I couldn’t answer her. Whenever I tried to read a book in high school, I could only make it through a few pages per session before I would start falling asleep. Then when I would pick up where I left off, I couldn’t remember what I had already read. 

Symptoms of Irlen Syndrome vary from individual to individual. Several different reading distortions have been associated with the syndrome. Flipping letters, such as a b’s and d’s The spacing between letters and words will grow and shrink, maybe only a portion of the page of a book may be clear, or the lines off a paragraph will appear in waves instead of a straight line.Irlen Syndrome has been most associated with reading problems because the most noticeable distortions are when an individual tries to read black letters on white paper. I would find it easier to read white letters on black paper, said Mr. Wheaton. Or I would try to write my notes on yellow or pink notepads.

Irlen Syndrome doesn’t just affect reading. It can affect other aspects of life as well. My depth perception was off, said Mr. Wheaton. When I drove, I could never gauge if I had enough time to pass a car on a two lane road. Or I would stop very late when coming up behind a car. When I was in the eighth grade, I saved for a camera and taught myself how to create a depth of field effect. I felt guilty altering the image so that both the foreground and the background were in focus. I had no idea that people normally could see this way.

Mr. Wheaton struggled with these symptoms and much more until he was 56 and saw a special about Irlen Syndrome on 60 Minutes. He had himself tested and with the help of the Irlen Method, a whole new world has been opened up to him.The Irlen Method involves the use of Irlen colored filters that block out the wavelength of light causing the distortion effects. The overlay filters are colored and looking through one will color the world. So another layer, a tinted glasses or contacts, is used to null out the color and make the world clear and rightfully colored.

With a new world opened up to him, Mr. Wheaton has created a website dedicated to spreading the word about Irlen Syndrome. His website, rogerwheaton.com, is a blog style telling of his story. He keeps up to date with the latest information and strongly supports Irlen.com, a website for testing and diagnosing of the syndrome.”Its sad that so many people are affecting by this and don’t even know it, said Mr. Wheaton. 46% of kids with learning disorders can be treated with the Irlen Method. Many people have come through Mr. Wheaton to get information and advice. The extent to which it effects people is bad, said Mr. Wheaton. “Some people have to sit in a chair upside down to read. Some have to turn their computer monitor upside down just to read it. Irlen Syndrome is an inherited disease but can also be caused from a head injury or trauma.

Mr. Wheaton’s son was recently diagnosed with the syndrome.My son had headaches for years, said Mr. Wheaton. We flew him out to California; he got the overlays, and he said goodbye to his headaches. To be tested for Irlen Syndrome, you must go to a specialized diagnostician. There are only two in Michigan. Mr. Wheaton was tested by Ann Bonvallet in Ann Arbor. To reach Mrs. Bonvallet, call 734-663-5590. The International Headquarters is located in Long Beach, Calif. For more information, call 562-496-2550 or visit the website irlen.com. You can also contact Mr. Wheaton through his website, www.rogerwheaton.com.