The Color Connection
Helping Light Sensitivity, Glare,
Contrast, and Print Visibility
The Irlen Method
Helen L. Irlen, MA, LMFT
Irleninstitute@irlen.com
www.irlen.com
Helen Irlen, MA, LMFT
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School Psychologist
Licensed Therapist
Board Certified
Professional Counselor
Adult Learning Disability
Specialist
Educational Therapist
Irlen Institute
International HQ
Irlen Institute International HQ
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Irlen Institute
International HQ
Long Beach, CA
Testing and Training
133 Irlen Test Centers
5,000 Irlen Screeners
www.irlen.com
Irleninstitute@irlen.com
The Use of tinted lenses for those
with low vision
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Corning photochromic filters
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Comfort and visual performance for ocular
disorders
Filter 95-98% of blue light
UV Shield and NoIR filters
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Glare and photophobia
Nonscientific manner of prescribing
Research: Tinted Lenses for those
with Low Vision
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Substantial research has failed to prove
any consistent benefit
Problems: low vision not homogeneous
group
Do Tinted Lenses or filters improve visual
performance in low vision? A review of the
literature by Eperjes, Fowler, and Evans, Opthal.
Physiol. Opt. 2002
Enhance Your Ability to Function
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Contrary to popular belief
Children and adults with low vision
vary in their need for color
This needs to be determined on an
individual basis
The Irlen Method
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Irlen Colored Overlays
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Irlen Spectral Filters
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Environmental
Modifications
Visually Impaired & Blind
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67-71% are bothered by
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Lighting, glare, contrast sensitivity, depth
perception, visual distortions, strain &
discomfort
Association between color and light
Function of the eye to transmit
information
Function of the brain to read and
interpret visual information
Irlen Correct Problems of
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Light Sensitivity & Glare
Stress & Strain
Visual Distortions
Visual Acuity
Adaptation Time
Visual Performance
Field of Vision
Headaches & Discomfort
Contrast Sensitivity
Low Vision Client
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“I tried all the recommendations from the
Braille Institute for glasses that block out
light with little success.”
“Now that I am wearing Irlen Spectral
Filters, I no longer experience the flashing
of light, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and
nausea.” Nick
Fritz Steiner, Director for the
Institute for the Visually Impaired
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“Nearly 60% of the visually impaired I
have tested have benefited from the use
of Irlen Spectral Filters.
Nearly all reported greater eye comfort,
less muscle tension, greater ability to do
visual work and decreased disturbance
from reduced contrast.”
The Irlen Method
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Federal Grant
Adult students
1980-1985
Ask Questions
Visual Processing
Inherited or Acquired
What is Irlen Syndrome
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Not visual
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Not corrected with glasses
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Not identified by vision tests
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Continuum of difficulty
Difficulties Related to
Irlen Syndrome
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Light Sensitivity: fluorescent lights,
bright lights, glare, night blindness
Physical Symptoms: dizziness, fatigue,
headaches/migraines, stomachaches
Academic Difficulties:
reading, handwriting, spelling, math,
geometry, composition writing, note
taking, copying, and reading maps
Difficulties Related to
Irlen Syndrome
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Difficulties using
whiteboards,
Computer Screens
IPads
overheads, books, music,
scantron sheets
The
Mind-Body-Learning
Connection
Balancing Brain Functioning
 Brain is the most complex organ
100 billion neurons
Trillion supporting cells
 Brain involved in everything you do
Thinking
Feeling
Acting
 Brain works right-you work right
 Brain doesn’t work right-you cannot
 Everyone’s brain is different
Stress
Environmental Stimuli
Reaction
Stress
Environmental stimuli can place demands which exceed the
brain’s ability to cope.
The Environment Can Trigger
Stress Affecting
Brain’s Activity
 Emotions
 Immune System
 Health & Well Being
 Performance
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Environmental Stressors
Lighting
Glare
Bright Color
High Contrast
Mind-Body-Learning Connection
 Environment & Visual Activities
can cause over and under
activation
 Causing imbalance and changes
in
 Brain
 Autonomic NS (neurotransmitters)
 Endocrine System (hormonal)
 Suppresses Immune System
SPECT Scans without and with
Irlen Spectral Filters
Spect Scans without and with
Irlen Spectral Filters
Before
After
Populations
Medical
Diseases
 Headaches/
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Migraines
Dizziness,
Stomachaches
ADD/HD
Anxiety
Autism/Aspergers
Light-Induced
Epilepsy
Depression, OCD
TBI, Concussion,
Whip Lash
Stroke Victims
Visual
 Diseases/
Impairments
 Low Vision
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Auto Immune
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Fibromyalgia
CFS
Diabetes
Multiple Sclerosis
Cerebral Palsy
Spina Bifida
Parkinson’s
Disease
Viral Illnesses
Hydrocephalus
Myasthenia Gravis
The Mind-Body-Learning
Connection
ENVIRONMENT
Lighting
Patterns
VISUAL ACTIVITIES
Contrast
Colors
Reading
Copying
Writing
Computer Use
PERCEPTUAL
STRESS
Changes in
Brain Chemistry
Changes in
Automatic System
Endocrine System
Immune System
Neuropeptide System
Cortisol
Serotonin
Dopamine
Hormone
PROBLEMS
• Physical symptoms
(headache, migraine, fatigue,
dizziness, stomachaches, eye
strain, anxiety, irritability)
• Attention & concentration
• Learning (hypo/hyper
sensitivity)
Learning, reading,
emotional, behavioral,
or attitude problems
ADD/HD
Dyslexia
Conduct Disorders
Psychologically
Disturbed
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PROBLEMS
Sensory integration
• Depth perception
• Vulnerability to stress
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Diminished cognitive
reserves
Carol Baroudi, author of the best
selling book, The Internet For
Dummies
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“Irlen Spectral Filters have profoundly
changed my life. My visual acuity is a full
line better on eye charts. My eyes now
move smoothly across a page. I can read
for hours without eye fatigue and with
greater ease.”
Stargardts Disease
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With my Irlen Filters I saw my daughter for the
first time. The feeling of joy when a mother
sees her baby for the first time after 4 years is
something so powerful words are not sufficient
to describe it.
After one week things have never looked better.
The comfort in my eyes is indescribable. I can
see so much more.
Irlen Filters have given me back some my
independence and confidence. Cassandra
Modifications
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Lighting
 Reduce lighting
 Incandescent or indirect natural lighting
 Warm white tubes, and SPX 2700 tubes
 Gels over fluorescent
http://www.rosco.com/us/filters/cinegel.
asp
 Visor or brimmed hat
Modifications
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Paper
Recycled, off-white, non-glare
 Different colors for different people
Computer/Overhead Projector
 Use colored overlays
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Whiteboards
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Gray or brown
Colored marker
Write in columns
Reading Modifications
Irlen Spectral Filters
Colored overlays
Visor/brimmed hat
Bookstand
Avoid fluorescent lighting
Test Modifications
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Tests duplicated on colored paper
Colored plastic overlays
Scantron answer sheets
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Score on Test
Use a ruler
Duplicate on colored paper
Natural lighting
Irlen Spectral Filters
Lenses
 Contact Lenses
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Resources
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www.irlen.com
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Reading by the Colors by Helen Irlen
The Irlen Revolution by Helen Irlen
RBC audio tape
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Irlen CD Rom
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“The
real voyage of discovery is not in seeing new
directions but in having new eyes.” Marcel Proust