The Brain
Color & Light Sensitivity
The Irlen Method
By Helen L. Irlen, MA, LMFT
www.irlen.com
Helen Irlen, MA, LMFT
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Irlen Institute
International HQ
Long Beach, CA
www.irlen.com
Irleninstitute@irlen.com
The Irlen Method
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Irlen Colored
Overlays
Irlen Spectral Filters
Color to correct problems of
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Light Sensitivity
Glare
Stress & Strain
Visual Distortions
Visual Acuity
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Adaptation Time
Visual Performance
Field of Vision
Headaches &
Discomfort
Contrast Sensitivity
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.”
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.”
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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
Research
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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
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
Visually Impaired
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67-71% light sensitivity
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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
What is Stress?
Environmental Stimuli
Reaction
Stress
Environmental stimuli can place demands which exceed the
brain’s ability to cope.
The Irlen Syndrome
Environmental
Stressors
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Lighting
Glare
Bright Color
High
Contrast
 Patterns and
Stripes
 Details
 Sustained
Attention
 Continuous
Performance
Activities as Stressors
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Looking, Listening
Reading, Math
Writing, Copying
Scantron Answer Sheets
Computer, TV, Movies
Other visually-intensive activities
Brain & Visual Cortex
 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
Brain Systems
 Prefrontal Cortex: attention, organization,
impulse, and mood control
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Anerior Cingulate Gyrus: gear shifter
Basal Ganglia: movement and anxiety
Thalamus: integrator
Temporal Lobes: mood, memory, learning
Parietal Lobes: sensory and direction
Occipital Lobes: vision
Cerebellum: processing speed
Mind-Body-Learning
Connection
 Environment & Visual Activities can
cause over-stimulation
 Imbalance and changes
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Brain
Autonomic NS
Endocrine System
Immune System
Neuropeptide System
“The real voyage of discovery is not in seeing new directions but in
having new eyes.” Marcel Proust
Before
After
Irlen Symptoms
Physical Symptoms
Headaches and migraines
Dizziness
Stomachaches
Anxiety, nervousness and/or irritability
Strain and discomfort
Fatigue
Irlen Symptoms
Poor Attending/Listening Skills
Sensory Integration Difficulties
Poor Depth Perception
Distractibility
Night Blindness
Problems
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Light sensitivity & visual fragmentation
Reading and learning
Behavior, attitude, or emotional problems
ADD/HD
Physical symptoms
Small motor and gross motor integration
Depth perception & sensory integration
Neurological fragmentation
Populations
Learning & Reading Problems
Dyslexia, ADHD, LD
Blind & Visually Impaired
Emotional Problems
Depression
Anxiety Disorder
OCD
Conduct Disorders and Behavior Problems
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
VISUAL ACTIVITIES
Lighting
Patterns
Reading
Copying
Contrast
Colors
Writing
Computer Use
PERCEPTUAL
STRESS
Changes in
Brain Chemistry
PROBLEMS
1. Physical symptoms
(headache, migraine, fatigue,
dizziness, stomachaches, eye
strain, sinus congestion)
2. Attention & concentration
3. Learning (hypo/hyper
sensitivity)
Cortisol
Serotonin
Dopamine
Hormone
Learning, reading,
emotional, behavioral,
or attitude problems
ADD/HD
Dyslexia
Conduct Disorders
Psychologically
Disturbed
Changes in
Automatic System
Endocrine System
Immune System
Neuropeptide System
PROBLEMS
4. Sensory integration
5. Depth perception
6. Suppressive immune
system
7. Distractions &
misconceptions
Color Intervention
Improve Perception
Decrease Physical Symptoms
Increase Calmness and General Well-Being
Increase ability to handle paper work, complete reading and
work assignments, and participate in daily activities
Increase Social Skills
Increase likelihood of appropriate reactions to difficult
situations
Improves Social Network
Increase sense of competency
Increase feelings of self-worth
Resources & Related Links
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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 Light Barrier
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by Rhonda Stone
Resources
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Irlen International Newsletter
Irlen National and Int”l Conferences
www.irlen.com and other Irlen websites
Irlen CD
Facebook
YouTube: Irlen
Reading By The Colors by Helen Irlen
The Light Barrier by Rhonda Stone
The Irlen Revolution: A Guide to Changing
Your Perception and Your Life by Helen Irlen
Online Resources
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Youtube Videos: Irlen
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ABC World News
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Teenager
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB8zRaLzr1M
Irlen Syndrome: A Teen's Summary
Optical Illusions