Diagnosis & Solution
Diagnosis & Tint Assessment
The Irlen Method consists of two testing sessions, a screening appointment by Irlen Screeners and Irlen Diagnosticians and a testing appointment for Irlen Spectral Filters by Irlen Diagnosticians. There are yearly filter rechecks.
Colored tinted lenses provided by others are NOT the same as Irlen Spectral Filters provided by the Irlen Method. Only certified Irlen Diagnosticians are trained to determine the specific frequencies to optimize performance from an almost limitless selection of filters.
Everyone’s brain is different. Only Irlen Diagnosticians can determine the Irlen Spectral Filter which allows your brain to function properly. This results in improved reading, learning, performance, attention, and well being.
Irlen Screeners are certified to administer the first testing session and determine whether an individual will benefit from further evaluation for Irlen Spectral Filters. With thousands of certified Irlen Screeners worldwide, only a few are listed on the website. For a screener nearer to you, contact the closest Irlen Diagnostician.
Irlen Diagnosticians are certified to administer both testing sessions. During the initial testing session, an individual is screened to determine whether wearing Irlen Spectral Filters will make a difference and the amount of improvement for reading and other academic activities. In addition, during this session 12 other areas will be evaluated and recommendations made. Only Irlen Diagnosticians are certified to test and determine your customized Irlen Spectral Filter, worn as glasses or contact lenses, and conduct yearly rechecks.
Coloured Lenses
The eye is only one part of vision. There are numerous neural pathways in the brain which play an important part in what we see and interpret. If there is interference with these pathways, the individual will experience difficulty with learning and other visually related tasks.
How are visual problems of scotopic sensitivity treated?
Research has shown that approximately 95% of those with Irlen Syndrome/Scotopic Sensitivity (IS/SS) can be helped after careful identification and diagnosis. These individuals respond functionally to specific wave lengths of light. Research has shown that different coloured filters could disrupt cellular functioning of the cell similar to those in the retina. For the individual with Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, full spectral light produces over stimulation of the retinal receptors, which, in turn, causes problems seeing.
What are Irlen lenses?
Irlen lenses are spectrally modified to meet an individual’s specific need. There are hundreds of possible variations, and it is only through an intensive diagnostic process that the correct prescription can be determined. Selectively reducing specific wavelengths of light reduces or eliminates interference in the visual pathways in the brain producing sharper, clearer, and more stable vision. Most sunglasses only reduce the intensity of light without eliminating specific wavelengths within the spectrum.
Do Irlen lenses Work? YES!
Experience and research over the years with this approach show that 90% of those suffering from Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome usually experience the following:
- Gains in reading comprehension
- Increase in attention span
- Increase in reading speed
- Better depth perception
- Reduced eye strain symptoms
- Reduced headaches
- Better night vision
As with any treatment, it is imperative that individuals are re-evaluated on a continual basis. Slight changes in the visual system produce changes in adaptation to the spectral modification. This means that an individual’s initial prescription may not continue to be beneficial, and a re-evaluation and new prescriptions may be necessary to maintain effectiveness.
Cost & Prices
DIAGNOSTICIAN COSTS – DIAGNOSIS & TINT ASSESSMENTS
The costs below are estimates. As we have diagnosticians in a variety of locations and conducting their businesses under different circumstances, some of the costs below may vary – but you will still have a fairly good idea of the overall costs.
Initial Diagnosis
$200.00 (incl. GST) At the end of this session you will know if the symptoms are present and if the coloured lens intervention will help. A coloured overlay is available to take home and try.
Initial Tint Assessment
If the initial diagnostic screening is positive and you decide to come back and have a prescriptive session to determine the exact tint, then the cost of the initial tint assessment is $242 (incl. GST).
Initial Diagnosis and Tint Assessment (Double Appointment)
Many diagnosticians will allow enough time when you attend your initial diagnosis so that you can continue on in the session and go through the tint assessment process. This is often called a double appointment and the total cost is cheaper than if you went to two separate appointments for your initial diagnosis and initial tint assessment. The cost is $350.00 (incl. GST) and a saving of around $100.
Recheck Tint Assessments (>18 months)
Your optimum tint (i.e. colour combination) that reduces your Irlen symptoms can change slightly over time. For this reason we recommend you coming back every 18 months to 2 years for a recheck. The cost of this appointment is $242 (inc. GST) and we will reassess your colour. F provides you with the most $220.00 (incl. GST)
Recheck Tint Assessment (>18 months)
Sometimes see a more dramatic change in tint colour if a person has undergone any significant stress (e.g. hormonal changes such as puberty or menopause, work or relationship stress, or a work or car accident). If you come within 18 months of last appointment the cost is $220 (inc. GST).
The BEST INDICATOR of when you should come back for a recheck however, is really when you feel that your glasses aren’t helping as much as they use to.
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LAB COSTS – LENS TINTING & PRESCRIPTION LENSES
Lenses
$250.00, plus postage.
Spectacle frames may need to be purchased separately. Other features such as an optical prescription or UV filters or fitting the lenses are extra.
As yet, Medicare does not cover any of the costs, although several private health funds are giving some rebate, particularly on the lenses.
Prescription lenses can be tinted provided they are made out of CR39 plastic, with no coatings or tints. Over time, we have found it harder and harder for our clients to purchase non-coated prescription lenses (even if they are told they are!) so we now highly recommend our laboratory to make up the prescription as well.
A written report is issued with the lenses. However, as copies of reports are not kept, a request for a copy of the report at a later date could incur a small cost.
Other Solutions
Coloured overlays are most effective for individuals whose difficulties are isolated to reading. If you experience challenges with writing, math, depth perception, night driving, or the environment, coloured filters (worn as glasses) will be your best treatment option. However, coloured overlays are an important first step in determining whether the Irlen Method can work for you and provide your first experience with relief.
Coloured Overlays can help
- Improve print clarity and stability
- Reduce strain and fatigue
- Eliminate headaches
- Improve comprehension
- Tracking and keeping your place while reading
- Make reading faster
- Allow you to read longer and with comfort
Overlays for School Students
Irlen® Overlays are the original coloured overlay technology. They are used by hundreds of thousands of students and over one-million people worldwide. Irlen® Overlays are the only coloured overlays available backed by more than a decade of scientific research and used by more than 4,000 school districts worldwide.
