Dr. Gregory L Robinson reviewed the literature on the use of colored filters for Irlen syndrome.
Research has substantiated a deficit in the brain’s ability to process visual information and its association to reading disabilities. Twenty years of educational, medical, and academic research has generated a wealth of support for the success of color in treating perceptual difficulties associated with Irlen Syndrome. It is important to separate vision and perception, since Irlen Syndrome is unrelated to visual skills assessed by an optometric exam. It is not possible to present a comprehensive review of the research here, but the following grouping may help clarify the various types of research being undertaken:
Those describing and characterizing Irlen Syndrome and its associated symptoms.
- The substantial body of research documenting the positive effect on reading speed, accuracy, and comprehension with Irlen Colored Filters.
- Numerous positive surveys of Irlen Filters, with users reporting improvements in 82 to 93 percent of cases for reading, handwriting, spelling, eye strain, school performance, and self-image.
- A study on social skills: Children with Irlen Syndrome were found to have difficulty recognizing faces and emotions while their normal peers and those with learning disabilities did not. These skills improved with Irlen Filters.
- In addition to the effects on reading, there has been research investigating the use of the Irlen Method and colored filters with alternative populations such as individuals with autism.
- Research reports a reduction in eye strain, headaches, and migraines using colored filters, a reduction in light-sensitive epilepsy , improvement in school performance and self-image use, and improvements in accommodation facility and eye movements while reading.
For more information on Irlen Filters and Irlen Syndrome see here.