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How Irlen Filters help. Irlen lenses may improve reading comfort, speed, comprehension and duration. They can improve accuracy if distortions are severe, but they can't allow children to read words not within their vocabulary. Irlen lenses can reduce strain, fatigue, migraine, headaches and glare. They can improve confidence, self esteem, and judgement of distance. Irlen Syndrome Research Summaries Synopsis: Summary of Irlen research and comparison of studies. Source: Australasian Association of Irlen Consultants. Authors: Robinson, G.L., and Whiting, P.R. Extensive Review 2004 Update 2008 Yellow Filters can improve Magnocellular Function: Motion Sensitivity, Convergence, Accommodation and Reading. Synopsis: Yellow Filters should be tried in all children with reduced convergence and accommodation and reading before prisms, corrective lenses or exercises are prescribed. Source: ANN. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1039: 283-293 (2005). doi.10.1196/annals.1325.027 Authors: N J. Ray, S Fowler and J F. Stein The Family Incidence of a visual-perceptual subtype of dyslexia Synopsis: In three studies, 83% of children with Irlen Syndrome had one or both parents with similar symptoms. Family history would be a useful factor in identifying children likely to have visual processing problems and reading difficulties. Source: Focus on dyslexia research. Nunez, M.(Ed.). NY: Nova Science Books. 2004. Authors: Robinson, Foreman, Dear & Sparkes Biochemical Anomalies in people with Irlen Syndrome Synopsis: Adds to the evidence for a biochemical basis for dyslexia and Irlen Syndrome. Discusses some of the complexities surrounding interpretation and practical applications of such findings. Source: Australasian Association of Irlen Consultants Inc. 2004. Authors: Robinson, Sparkes, Roberts & Dunstan See also Robinson, G.L., McGregor, N.R., Roberts, T.K., Dunstan, R.H., & Butt, H. (2001) A biochemical analysis of people with chronic fatigue who have Irlen Syndrome: Speculation concerning immune system dysfunction. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 93, 486-504. Physiological and anatomical evidence for a magnocellular defect in developmental dyslexia Synopsis: Dyslexic individuals showed diminished visually evoked potentials to rapid, low-contrast stimuli but normal responses to slow or high-contrast stimuli. Post-mortem studies showed abnormalities in the magnocellular but not the parvocellular visual pathways. Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. 88, Sept 1991. 7943-7947 Authors: Livingstone, Rosen, Drislane & Galaburda Magnetoencephalographic evaluation of Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome Synopsis: Subjects with Irlen Syndrome but without Irlen Filters demonstrated a complex field-pattern indicative of multiple generators and fragmented activation of visual areas. With filters, the pattern crystalises into a single dipole that localizes to the parietal-occipital sulcus. In normal subjects, filters disrupt the dipolar pattern. Source: Unpublished paper, University of Utah, Centre for Advanced Medical Technologies. Authors: Lewine, Davis, Provencal, Edgar & Orrison Irlen Filters and Headaches Synopsis: Outlines the research that suggests Irlen filters may help with headache or migraine. Source: Irlen Institute www.irlen.com Author: Irlen, H., et al.