Glasses open up the world for Victoria

Victoria Sturt, 11, can see clearly now thanks to her new glasses. Photo / Ben Fraser

Rotorua schoolgirl Victoria Sturt reckons she can now "see the world".

Last year we reported how the 11-year-old had been diagnosed with Irlen Syndrome, giving her the opportunity to improve her vision with the help of some special glasses.

The Rotorua Daily Post caught up with Victoria's grandmother Beryl Sturt to see how Victoria was finding her new glasses.

Mrs Sturt said Victoria had improved very quickly and that she was always reading.

"She has gained three years in reading levels in just three months. She reckons she can see the world now, she is a lot happier in herself."

The specialist who diagnosed Victoria said Irlens could be cured if it was found and dealt with before puberty and that is what Mrs Sturt was hoping for.

But for now she is just happy her granddaughter can see.

"All we have ever wanted is the best for her."

Irlen Syndrome is a specific type of perceptual problem that affects the way the brain processes visual information. It is not an optical problem.

For people with Irlen Syndrome, the brain is unable to process full spectral light. This results in a range of distortions in the environment, a range of distortions on the printed page, and physical and behavioural symptoms. For Victoria, before she got her glasses, this meant she could not see anything black or white and when she was reading without them she would describe the words as wriggling off the page.