What is Irlen® Syndrome?
Millions of people use Irlen® Lenses, but what Irlen is can be controversial.
On this page, you will find out
Understanding Irlen Syndrome
...and a link here to the Irlen method of
What Irlen Syndrome IS
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a brain processing issue. The brain overreacts to light and visual stimuli. so cannot effectively process them
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a spectrum disorder. Symptoms fall on a continuum from
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slight (symptoms begin after 40 minutes of visual attention) to
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severe. (symptoms begin after 20 minutes of intensive visual attention, or even immediately for some)
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caused by a range of factors:
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genetic inheriting it from a parent or grandparent
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illness, medical procedures, or traumatic brain injury/ concussion.
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Good, overall information
What Irlen Syndrome CAUSES
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Visual symptoms: Words and print may appear blurry, moving, or unstable, making reading slow and exhausting (Visual Dyslexia)
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Physical symptoms: Light sensitivity triggers headaches, eye strain, fatigue, nausea, and physical discomfort
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Cognitive symptoms: Reading comprehension, concentration, and information processing become difficult and inefficient
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Emotional symptoms: Frustration, anxiety, low motivation, and reduced self-esteem develop from ongoing visual struggles
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Neurological symptoms: The brain's overreaction to light creates processing difficulties that affect learning and daily function.
Do you experience any of these?
What Irlen Syndrome IS NOT
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a learning disability but can cause specific learning problems and can be part of a diagnosis of ADD, Dyslexia, ASD
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a visual difficulty but can cause visual stress.
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an "eye problem" but a problem with the brain processing visual information.
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can be easily and effectively dealt with Irlen Precision Spectral Filters (lenses/glasses).
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Optometrists and Irlen practitioners look for and use different information
How Irlen Syndrome
was Discovered
Early 1980s The Question
Helen Irlen, educational psychologist, received a US Federal grant to work with adults struggling to read. Instead of asking 1500 students "Can you see the page?", she asked "What does the page look like?"
The Breakthrough
Adults described strange experiences: letters moving, print blurring, white glare hurting their eyes... and family members considering this funny. Helen's research showed this was a previously unrecognized condition
1983 The Solution
A student comment that a red overhead projector overlay helped her reading, led Helen to experiment. She found that different colours helped different people. Some dramatically improved immediately. Helen developed precise colour combinations using a spectrometer
1984 Going Public
Helen presented her findings "Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome" to the American Psychological Association Medical, educational and allied health professionals were unaware this condition existed. Later the condition was called Irlen Syndrome.
1985 The Irlen Method
Patent submitted for coloured lenses in glasses The Irlen Institute was established to train practitioners • Independently, a New Zealand teacher Olive Meares had documented similar findings. Now the condition is also known as Meares-Irlen Syndrome..
1988 Worldwide Recognition
60 Minutes TV program featured the discovery • Thousands of people worldwide finally understood their reading struggles.
Watch the unbelievable description of difference
and listen to the changes
Ongoing! Global Research
The Irlen Method began transforming lives globally as new research found the effects of Irlen Syndrome spanned far more than reading issues.
What Irlen Filters Help
Then!
Irlen Precision Spectral Filters were being used in 1985 to achieve stunning improvements in reading.
Australian Women's Weekly, (1985).
Now!
Life-Changing Benefits of Irlen Filters!
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Enhanced Depth Perception: Improved spatial awareness for driving, sports, and navigation
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Reduced Visual Stress: Comfort in busy environments like shopping centres and offices
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Better Communication: Easier eye contact and reading of facial expressions
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Improved Work Performance: Reduced fatigue from screen work and fluorescent lighting
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Enhanced Social Comfort: Less overwhelm in group settings and social situations
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Better Night Vision: Improved driving safety and confidence in low light
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Reduced Headaches: Significant decrease in light-triggered headaches
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Increased Stamina: Less visual fatigue throughout the day
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Enhanced Learning: Better processing of visual information and materials
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Improved Mood: Reduced stress and anxiety from visual overwhelm
Some Real Life Stories
Improvements in reading, concentration and focus
Some surprising improvements
Irlen, ... and brain health...
Download the booklet
