Experience with Visual Stress/Irlen Syndrome/Tinted Lenses
 

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone here has been assessed for Irlen Syndrome and has experience with the Irlen tinted lenses?

I have quite a problem with visual stress and so I no longer use the computer much at all. I went for an Irlen screening today which cost just under $300 and as I expected, I fell into the severe category.

Before I go and spend a further $500 on the lense assessment (then more $$ for tinting my perscription lenses), I was hoping to find others who may have had some experiene with these lenses. They are supposed to block certain (color) light spectrum(s) that stress the visual cortex. So far, regular sunglasses of various shades are not much help, other than that they make things darker.

Any insight is appreciated! And if I proceed with getting these lenses, I promise to pop back on here and report back to all of you. In the mean
time you can find lots of information online if you search for "irlen syndrome".

Thanks!!!! Take care everyone!
X-Soccergal

Interesting concept. I wonder if there is a way to modify the colors on a computer screen to make it easier for the brain to process the images. Knowing which colors to modify would be the first step.

The program F-lux has color temperature settings that can be adjusted.

Many display/video processors have built in software that allow you to change color temperature.

Very interesting. I've never heard of this but do have visual issues. Best of luck to you!

Thanks for the tips. I have played with various colour schemes and refresh rates and it's odd but it seems to be blues that feel best. But I really think it's the refresh rate that bothers me most - and of course the light comeing from the screen. I have found that using my iPhone 3 for any internet surfing, etc. is the best for me and I avoid the computer as much as I can.

I'm going to go ahead with the lense assessment and keep my fingers crossed. Even if it helps just a little it will be worth it.

Will keep you posted.

Thanks!
Soccergal

I have convergence insufficiency and was given blue tinted lenses. They are nothing short of a miracle for me. Before, I would get daily headaches, not be able to spend more than 1 hr on a computer. Now I can work full time, something I never imagined possible.

With my glasses, most of my symptoms have gone away and I feel almost like my old self. It has given my life back and while I know every case is different, I truly hope they make a big difference for you.

Agree with 'today is tomorrow'! Prisms and a bit of blue blocker tint made a big difference. Still have other deficits but they made a huge difference in my life.

Wow - Thanks for sharing Todayistomorrow and Mokey! I'm so happy to hear that they have helped boht of you! I went for the lens assessment and apparently the main spectrum of light that bothers me is yellow/orange. There were a few layers of different filters, so I'm not sure what they will look like when I get the actual lenses. It will be several weeks before I get them.

Thanks!
Hopeful Soccergal! :wink:

I wear an FL-41 tint, which blocks out the blue wavelengths. It has helped me some, but it sounds like it wouldn't be the right color for you.

Thanks for the heads-up about Irlen Syndrome. I hadn't heard of that and am going to look into getting tested. I am still limited to about 1 hr/day on the computer and maybe 20 minutes reading. My eye strain and light sensitivity improve to a certain level with rest and then just plateau. It doesn't take much eye work to induce strain again, even if I've given them weeks of rest.