The Color ConnectionThe Color ConnectionHelping Light Sensitivity, Glare, Helping Light Sensitivity, Glare,

Contrast, and Print VisibilityContrast, and Print Visibility

The Irlen MethodThe Irlen Method

Helen L. Irlen, Helen L. Irlen, MAMA, , LMFTLMFT

Irleninstitute@irlen.comIrleninstitute@irlen.com

www.irlen.comwww.irlen.com

Helen Irlen, MA, LMFTHelen Irlen, MA, LMFT

School PsychologistSchool Psychologist Licensed TherapistLicensed Therapist Board Certified Board Certified

Professional Professional CounselorCounselor

Adult Learning Adult Learning Disability SpecialistDisability Specialist

Educational TherapistEducational Therapist Irlen Institute Irlen Institute

International HQInternational HQ

Irlen Institute International Irlen Institute International HQHQ

Irlen Institute Irlen Institute International HQInternational HQ Long Beach, CALong Beach, CA Testing and TrainingTesting and Training 133 Irlen Test Centers133 Irlen Test Centers 5,000 Irlen Screeners5,000 Irlen Screeners www.irlen.comwww.irlen.com Irleninstitute@irlen.comIrleninstitute@irlen.com

The Use of tinted lenses for The Use of tinted lenses for those with low visionthose with low vision

Corning photochromic filtersCorning photochromic filters Comfort and visual performance for Comfort and visual performance for

ocular disordersocular disorders Filter 95-98% of blue lightFilter 95-98% of blue light

UV Shield and NoIR filtersUV Shield and NoIR filters Glare and photophobiaGlare and photophobia Nonscientific manner of prescribingNonscientific manner of prescribing

Research: Tinted Lenses for Research: Tinted Lenses for those with Low Visionthose with Low Vision

Substantial research has failed to Substantial research has failed to prove any consistent benefit prove any consistent benefit

Problems: low vision not Problems: low vision not homogeneous grouphomogeneous group

Do Tinted Lenses or filters improve visual Do Tinted Lenses or filters improve visual performance in low vision? A review of the performance in low vision? A review of the literatureliterature by Eperjes, Fowler, and Evans, by Eperjes, Fowler, and Evans, Opthal. Physiol. Opt. 2002Opthal. Physiol. Opt. 2002

Enhance Your Ability to FunctionEnhance Your Ability to Function

Contrary to popular beliefContrary to popular belief Children and adults with low Children and adults with low

vision vary in their need for colorvision vary in their need for color This needs to be determined on This needs to be determined on

an individual basisan individual basis

The Irlen MethodThe Irlen Method

Irlen Colored Irlen Colored OverlaysOverlays

Irlen Spectral Irlen Spectral FiltersFilters

Environmental Environmental ModificationsModifications

Visually Impaired & BlindVisually Impaired & Blind 67-71% are bothered by67-71% are bothered by

Lighting, glare, contrast sensitivity, Lighting, glare, contrast sensitivity, depth perception, visual distortions, depth perception, visual distortions, strain & discomfort strain & discomfort

Association between color and lightAssociation between color and light Function of the eye to transmit Function of the eye to transmit

informationinformation Function of the brain to read and Function of the brain to read and

interpret visual informationinterpret visual information

Irlen Irlen Correct Problems ofCorrect Problems of Light Sensitivity & GlareLight Sensitivity & Glare Stress & StrainStress & Strain Visual DistortionsVisual Distortions Visual AcuityVisual Acuity Adaptation TimeAdaptation Time Visual PerformanceVisual Performance Field of VisionField of Vision Headaches & Discomfort Headaches & Discomfort Contrast SensitivityContrast Sensitivity

Low Vision ClientLow Vision Client

““I tried all the recommendations from I tried all the recommendations from the Braille Institute for glasses that the Braille Institute for glasses that block out light with little success.”block out light with little success.”

““Now that I am wearing Irlen Spectral Now that I am wearing Irlen Spectral Filters, I no longer experience the Filters, I no longer experience the flashing of light, headaches, dizziness, flashing of light, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea.” Nickfatigue, and nausea.” Nick

Fritz Steiner, Director for the Fritz Steiner, Director for the Institute for the Visually Institute for the Visually

ImpairedImpaired ““Nearly 60% of the visually impaired Nearly 60% of the visually impaired

I have tested have benefited from I have tested have benefited from the use of Irlen Spectral Filters. the use of Irlen Spectral Filters.

Nearly all reported greater eye Nearly all reported greater eye comfort, less muscle tension, greater comfort, less muscle tension, greater ability to do visual work and ability to do visual work and decreased disturbance from reduced decreased disturbance from reduced contrast.”contrast.”

The Irlen MethodThe Irlen Method

Federal GrantFederal Grant Adult studentsAdult students 1980-19851980-1985 Ask QuestionsAsk Questions Visual ProcessingVisual Processing Inherited or AcquiredInherited or Acquired

What is Irlen SyndromeWhat is Irlen Syndrome

Not visualNot visual

Not corrected with glassesNot corrected with glasses

Not identified by vision Not identified by vision teststests

Continuum of difficultyContinuum of difficulty

Difficulties Related to Difficulties Related to Irlen SyndromeIrlen Syndrome

Light SensitivityLight Sensitivity:: fluorescent lights, fluorescent lights, bright lights, glare, night blindnessbright lights, glare, night blindness

Physical SymptomsPhysical Symptoms:: dizziness, dizziness, fatigue, headaches/migraines, fatigue, headaches/migraines, stomachaches stomachaches

Academic DifficultiesAcademic Difficulties:: readingreading, , handwriting, spelling, math, handwriting, spelling, math,

geometry, composition writing, note geometry, composition writing, note taking, copying, and reading mapstaking, copying, and reading maps

Difficulties Related to Difficulties Related to Irlen SyndromeIrlen Syndrome

Difficulties usingDifficulties using whiteboards, whiteboards,

Computer ScreensComputer Screens IPadsIPads overheads, books, overheads, books,

music, scantron sheetsmusic, scantron sheets

The Mind-Body-Learning

Connection

Balancing Brain FunctioningBalancing Brain Functioning

Brain is the most complex organBrain is the most complex organ 100 billion neurons100 billion neurons Trillion supporting cellsTrillion supporting cells

Brain involved in everything you doBrain involved in everything you do ThinkingThinking Feeling Feeling ActingActing

Brain works right-you work rightBrain works right-you work right Brain doesn’t work right-you cannotBrain doesn’t work right-you cannot Everyone’s brain is differentEveryone’s brain is different

StressStressEnvironmental StimuliEnvironmental Stimuli

ReactionReaction

StressStress

Environmental stimuli can place demands which exceed the Environmental stimuli can place demands which exceed the brain’s ability to cope. brain’s ability to cope.

The Environment Can Trigger The Environment Can Trigger Stress AffectingStress Affecting

Brain’s Activity Brain’s Activity EmotionsEmotions Immune SystemImmune System Health & Well BeingHealth & Well Being PerformancePerformance

Environmental Stressors

LightingLighting

GlareGlare

Bright ColorBright Color

High ContrastHigh Contrast

Mind-Body-Learning ConnectionMind-Body-Learning Connection

Environment & Visual Activities Environment & Visual Activities can cause over and under can cause over and under activationactivation

Causing imbalance and changes Causing imbalance and changes inin Brain Brain Autonomic NS (neurotransmitters)Autonomic NS (neurotransmitters) Endocrine System (hormonal)Endocrine System (hormonal) Suppresses Immune SystemSuppresses Immune System

SPECT Scans without and with SPECT Scans without and with Irlen Spectral FiltersIrlen Spectral Filters

Spect Scans without and withSpect Scans without and withIrlen Spectral FiltersIrlen Spectral Filters

BeforBeforee

AfteAfterr

PopulationsPopulations

Headaches/ Headaches/ MigrainesMigraines

Dizziness, Dizziness, StomachachesStomachaches

ADD/HDADD/HD AnxietyAnxiety Autism/AspergersAutism/Aspergers Light-Induced Light-Induced

EpilepsyEpilepsy Depression, OCDDepression, OCD TBI, Concussion, TBI, Concussion,

Whip LashWhip Lash Stroke VictimsStroke Victims

Auto ImmuneAuto Immune

CFSCFS

DiabetesDiabetes

Multiple SclerosisMultiple Sclerosis

Cerebral PalsyCerebral Palsy

Spina BifidaSpina Bifida

Parkinson’s Parkinson’s DiseaseDisease

FibromyalgiaFibromyalgia

Viral IllnessesViral Illnesses

HydrocephalusHydrocephalus

Myasthenia GravisMyasthenia Gravis

Diseases/ Diseases/ Impairments Impairments

Low VisionLow Vision

Medical

Visual

Diseases

ENVIRONMENTLighting ContrastPatterns Colors

The Mind-Body-Learning Connection

CortisolSerotoninDopamineHormone

PERCEPTUAL STRESS

VISUAL ACTIVITIESReading WritingCopying Computer Use

Changes in Automatic SystemEndocrine SystemImmune System

Neuropeptide System

Changes in

Brain Chemistry

Learning, reading, emotional,

behavioral, or attitude problems

ADD/HDDyslexia

Conduct DisordersPsychologically

Disturbed

• Physical symptoms (headache, migraine, fatigue, dizziness, stomachaches, eye strain, anxiety, irritability)

• Attention & concentration

• Learning (hypo/hyper sensitivity)

• Sensory integration

• Depth perception

• Vulnerability to stress

• Diminished cognitive reserves

PROBLEMSPROBLEMS

Carol Baroudi, author of the Carol Baroudi, author of the best selling book, best selling book, The The Internet For DummiesInternet For Dummies

““Irlen Spectral Filters have Irlen Spectral Filters have profoundly changed my life. My profoundly changed my life. My visual acuity is a full line better on visual acuity is a full line better on eye charts. My eyes now move eye charts. My eyes now move smoothly across a page. I can read smoothly across a page. I can read for hours without eye fatigue and for hours without eye fatigue and with greater ease.”with greater ease.”

Stargardts DiseaseStargardts Disease With my Irlen Filters I saw my daughter for With my Irlen Filters I saw my daughter for

the first time. The feeling of joy when a the first time. The feeling of joy when a mother sees her baby for the first time mother sees her baby for the first time after 4 years is something so powerful after 4 years is something so powerful words are not sufficient to describe it.words are not sufficient to describe it.

After one week things have never looked After one week things have never looked better. The comfort in my eyes is better. The comfort in my eyes is indescribable. I can see so much more.indescribable. I can see so much more.

Irlen Filters have given me back some my Irlen Filters have given me back some my independence and confidence. Cassandraindependence and confidence. Cassandra

ModificationsModifications

LightingLighting Reduce lightingReduce lighting Incandescent or indirect natural Incandescent or indirect natural

lightinglighting Warm white tubes, and SPX 2700 tubes Warm white tubes, and SPX 2700 tubes Gels over fluorescent Gels over fluorescent

http://www.rosco.com/us/filters/cinegel.http://www.rosco.com/us/filters/cinegel.aspasp

Visor or brimmed hatVisor or brimmed hat

ModificationsModifications PaperPaper

Recycled, off-white, non-glareRecycled, off-white, non-glare Different colors for different peopleDifferent colors for different people

Computer/Overhead ProjectorComputer/Overhead Projector Use colored overlaysUse colored overlays

WhiteboardsWhiteboards Gray or brown Gray or brown Colored markerColored marker Write in columnsWrite in columns

Reading ModificationsReading Modifications

Irlen Spectral FiltersIrlen Spectral FiltersColored overlaysColored overlaysVisor/brimmed hatVisor/brimmed hatBookstandBookstandAvoid fluorescentAvoid fluorescent lightinglighting

Test ModificationsTest Modifications

Tests duplicated on colored paperTests duplicated on colored paper Colored plastic overlaysColored plastic overlays Scantron answer sheetsScantron answer sheets

Score on TestScore on Test Use a rulerUse a ruler Duplicate on colored paperDuplicate on colored paper

Natural lightingNatural lighting

Irlen Spectral FiltersIrlen Spectral Filters

LensesLenses Contact LensesContact Lenses

ResourcesResources

www.irlen.comwww.irlen.com Reading by the ColorsReading by the Colors by Helen by Helen

IrlenIrlen The Irlen RevolutionThe Irlen Revolution by Helen Irlen by Helen Irlen RBCRBC audio tape audio tape Irlen CD RomIrlen CD Rom

Follow IrlenFollow Irlen

http://irlen.com/index.http://irlen.com/index.php?s=videosphp?s=videos

Irlen NewsAlertIrlen NewsAlert Facebook Page:Facebook Page: www.Facebook.com/www.Facebook.com/

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“The real voyage of discovery is not in seeing new directions but in having new eyes.” Marcel Proust