Irlen lenses and sensory issues

Post Reply New Topic

I am wondering if anyone here uses the Irlen system for visual processing problems? I have some reading and perceptual issues and think their products might be of benefit to me, but I don't want to get suckered into something that is just another scam.
Has anyone tried the lenses, overlays, or other products?

I have the lenses (shade Amber 28 ). They help a bit but don't really do a lot. If you have to pay for it yourself you want to make sure it makes a big difference. I think the people who go with the blue-green lenses benefit more, but I could be wrong.

They were expensive, but in my case the government paid for them. I stopped wearing them a long time ago.

I'd say experiment with inexpensive tints in stores and/or then see if you can order glasses from something like Zenni Optical (cheap online eyeglass place) with a tint close to one you think you want. I've got Irlen lenses but they're too expensive and not always worth it if you can find tinted lenses that work for you somewhere else. I have gotten them three times and even when tricked I chose the same (pretty complex) base shade every time. They're not exactly a scam (because their products can work), but nor are they that scientifically sound as to why they think they work, and they act like everyone with certain problems could use them which is not true at all. And they also charge way too much. So I'd say experiment before you buy anything expensive like that (if you even need to at all). I feel like I was taken in by them acting like they're the only real and effective tinted lens manufacturers in the universe.