O'Connor et al. 19901414 O'Connor PD, Sofo F, Kendall L, Olsen G. Reading disabilities and the effects of colored filters. J Learn Disabil. 1990;23(10):597-603. DOI:10.1177/002221949002301006 https://doi.org/10.1177/0022219490023010...
|
92 Children |
Non-scotopic |
CC |
IDPS NARA FRI |
PCOF DCOF |
More visual comfort. Gained reading rate. Filter improved reading. |
3 |
Scheiman et al. 19901515 Scheiman M, Blaskey P, Ciner EB, Gallaway M, Parisi M, Pollack K, Selznick R. Vision characteristics of individuals identified as Irlen Filter candidates. J Am Optom Assoc. 1990; 61(8): 600-5. PMID: 2394899
|
Varied (age 10 to 49) n = 39 |
No control |
CH |
IDPS |
|
More visual comfort. Gained reading rate. Filter improved reading. |
4 |
Blaskey et al. 19901616 Blaskey P, Scheiman M, Parisi M, Ciner EB, Gallaway M, Selznick R. The effectiveness of Irlen filters for improving reading performance: a pilot study. J Learn Disabil.1990;23(10):604-12. DOI:10.1177/002221949002301007 https://doi.org/10.1177/0022219490023010...
|
Varied (age 9 to 51) 12 male; 18 female |
Non-scotopic |
CCH |
IDPS |
IF |
Self-declared more comfort. No gain in reading. Irlen filter group showed no significant gains. |
4 |
Robinson, Conway 19901717 Robinson GL, Conway RN. The effects of Irlen colored lenses on students' specific reading skills and their perception of ability: A 12-month validity study. J Learning Disabil. 1990;23(10):589-596. DOI:10.1177/002221949002301005 https://doi.org/10.1177/0022219490023010...
|
Varied (age 9 to 15) 33 males, 11 female |
No control |
CH |
IDPS NARA SPAS |
IF |
Improvements on Irlen tests. No improvements on NARA and SPAS. Filter improved reading accuracy and comprehension, but not rate. |
4 |
Martin et al. 19931818 Martin F, Mackenzie B, Lovegrove W, McNicol D. Irlen lenses in the treatment of specific reading disability: An evaluation of outcomes and processes. Australian J Psychol 1993; 45(3): 141-150. DOI:10.1080/00049539308259131 https://doi.org/10.1080/0004953930825913...
|
7th graders n = 60 |
Normal readers |
CCH |
LILP NARA RPM NWT |
IL/COF |
No difference among groups. No gain in reading. No improvement with IL/COF. |
4 |
Carrol et al. 19941919 Carroll TA, Mullaney P, Eustace P. Dark adaptation in disabled readers screened for Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome. Percept Mot Skills. 1994; 78(1):131-41. DOI: 10.2466/pms.1994.78.1.131 https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.1994.78.1.13...
|
Varied (age 10 to 20) n = 64 |
23 normal readers |
CC |
IDPS |
Dark adaptation |
No difference among groups. Inconclusive. |
4 |
Evans et al. 19942020 Evans BJ, Cook A, Richards IL, Drasdo N. Effect of pattern glare and colored overlays on a stimulated-reading task in dyslexics and normal readers. Optom Vis Sci 1994; 71(10): 619-28. DOI: 10.1097/00006324-199410000-00004 https://doi.org/10.1097/00006324-1994100...
|
Varied (mean age 22; age 7 to 12) n = 82 |
11 normal readers |
CC |
PGT SRVST |
COF |
No difference with lenses. No differences in PGT among groups. |
4 |
|
|
|
|
NARA |
|
Borderline significance supporting lenses. |
|
Lopez et al. 19942121 Lopez R, Yolton RL, Kohl P, Smith DL, Saxerud MH. Comparison of Irlen scotopic sensitivity syndrome test results to academic and visual performance data. J Am Optom Assoc. 1994; 65(10): 705-14. PMID: 7995893
|
Varied (children) 39 |
15 with “academic problems” |
CC |
ISSST |
PCOF |
No difference in PCOF users. No difference in academic performance. More research needed. |
4 |
Sawyer et al. 19942222 Sawyer C, Taylor S, Willcocks S. Transparent coloured overlays and specific learning difficulties. AEP (Association of Educational Psychologists) Journal. 1994;(4), 217-220. DOI:10.1080/0266736940090404. https://doi.org/10.1080/0266736940090404...
|
Varied (age 7 to 15) n = 271 |
86 children without referred reading problems |
CC |
SRTa |
PCOF |
Differences inside the instrument variation. No improvement in reading. Very low effect; other refractive problems as the cause; more investigation needed. |
4 |
Wilkins et al. 19942323 Wilkins AJ, Evans BJW, Brown JA, Busby AE, Wingfield AE, Jeanes RJ, Bald J. Double masked placebo controlled trial of precision spectral filters in children who use coloured overlays. Ophthal Physiol Opt 1994;14:365-370. DOI:10.1111/j.1475-1313.1994.tb00126.x https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-1313.1994...
|
Varied (age 9 to 15) n = 37 |
Children with reported failing in reading, with and without lenses. |
PCT |
ISSST NARA |
Intuitive Colorimeter® |
No differences on NARA and other symptoms evaluated. No gain in reading. Lenses ameliorate symptoms of IS. |
2 |
Evans et al. 19952424 Evans BJW, Busby A, Jeanes R, Wilkins AJ. Optometric correlates of Meares-Irlen Syndrome: a Matched group study. Ophthal Physiol Opt 1995; 15(5): 481-7. DOI:10.1046/j.1475-1313.1995.9500063j.x https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1475-1313.1995...
|
Children aged 12 n = 42 |
26 nonresponsive to COF |
CC |
ISSST SRTb NARA PGT |
Intuitive Colorimeter® |
No differences on NARA or symptoms. No gain in reading. Suggests caution on data interpretation due to high similarity among case and control groups. |
4 |
|
Adult and children |
|
|
Interview |
|
No differences on WRAT-R. |
|
Spafford et al. 19952525 Spafford CS, Grosser GS, Donatelle JR, Squillace SR, Dana JP. Contrast sensitivity differences between proficient and disabled readers using colored lenses. J Learn Disabil. 1995;28(4):240-52. DOI:10.1177/002221949502800406 https://doi.org/10.1177/0022219495028004...
|
4 children, 4 adults |
8 matched controls |
CC |
WRAT-R |
COF |
Lens color not critical for reading. Inconclusive; use of any unproven therapy could delay appropriate treatment. |
4 |
Evans et al. 19962626 Evans BJW, Wilkins AJ, Brown J, Busby A, Wingfield A, Jeanes R, Bald J. A preliminary investigation into the aetiology of Meares-Irlen syndrome. Ophthal Physiol Opt 1996; 16(4): 286-96. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1475-1313.1996.95001190.x
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1475-1313.1996...
|
Reports on sample from previous study (25) |
Participants report failing in reading, with/ without lenses. |
CC |
ISSST PGT Optometrics |
COF |
No difference in pattern glare and IS. Ocular motor anomalies correlate to IS. Method psychophysically primitive; optometric anomalies are priority in treatment. |
4 |
Ciuffreda et al. 19972727 Ciuffreda KJ, Scheiman M, Ong E, Rosenfield M, Solan HA. Irlen lenses do not improve accommodative accuracy at near. Optom Vis Sci. 1997;74(5):298-302. DOI: 10.1097/00006324-199705000-00026 https://doi.org/10.1097/00006324-1997050...
|
Adults (age 18 to 39) 2 males; 6 females |
No |
OB/CR |
LILP |
COF |
No positive effect on steady-state accommodation. No improvement on accuracy; participants in fact needed other vision intervention. |
4 |
Evans et al 19992828 Evans BJ, Patel R, Wilkins AJ, Lightstone A, Eperjesi F, Speedwell L, Duffy J. A review of the management of 323 consecutive patients seen in a specific learning difficulties clinic. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 1999;19(6):454-66. DOI:10.1111/j.1475-1313.1999.00465.x https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-1313.1999...
|
Varied (age 4 to 73) N=323 |
No |
RP/EP |
ISSST IO IC |
PCOF |
Patient perception of improvement. 73% still wearing tinted lenses 1,5 yrs after. |
4 |
Robinson, Foreman 19992929 Robinson GL, Foreman PJ. Scotopic sensitivity/Irlen syndrome and the use of coloured filters: a long-term placebo-controlled study of reading strategies using analysis of miscue. Percept Mot Skills 1999;88(1):35-52. DOI:10.2466/pms.1999.88.1.35 https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.1999.88.1.35...
|
Children (age 9 to 13) n = 113 |
35 controls with reading problems |
PCT |
ISSST/LILP NARA |
IL |
No difference among groups. No modification related to other groups. No improvements at all. |
2 |
Robinson, Foreman 19993030 Robinson GL, Foreman PJ. Scotopic sensitivity/Irlen syndrome and the use of coloured filters: a long-term placebo controlled and masked study of reading achievement and perception of ability. Percept Mot Skills.1999;89(1): 83-113. DOI:10.2466/pms.1999.89.1.83 https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.1999.89.1.83...
|
Same as previous (32) n = 88 |
28 controls from previous study (32) |
PCT |
ISSST/LILP NARA |
IL |
Statistical difference among selected groups. Improvements on some tasks. |
2 |
Robinson et al 20003131 Robinson GL, Foreman PJ, Dear KB. The familial incidence of symptoms of scotopic sensitivity/Irlen syndrome: comparison of referred and mass-screened groups. Percept Mot Skills. 2000;91(3):707-24. DOI:10.2466/pms.2000.91.3.707 https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.2000.91.3.70...
|
Varied (age 9 to 13) n = 158 |
125 referred 33 screening |
PP |
ISSST IS |
- |
84% of parents with IS No difference among groups Prevalence of symptoms on males |
4 |
Bouldoukian et al. 20023232 Bouldoukian J, Wilkins AJ, Evans BJW. Randomised controlled trial of the effect of coloured overlays on the rate of reading of people with specific learning difficulties. Ophthalmic Physiol Optics. 2002;22(1):55-60. DOI:10.1046/j.1475-1313.2002.00002.x https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1475-1313.2002...
|
Varied (age 7 to 40) n = 33 |
With/without overlay |
CC |
IO WRRT |
IO |
Increased reading rate due to IO. Increased rate due to practice on same test. IO improved rate of reading. No placebo effect. |
2 |
Evans, Joseph 20023333 Evans BJ, Joseph F. The effect of coloured filters on the rate of reading in an adult student population. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2002;22(6):535-45. DOI:10.1046/j.1475-1313.2002.00071.x https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1475-1313.2002...
|
University students n = 113 |
13 participants without complaints |
CC |
IO WRRT |
IO |
More than 90% was 3,8% faster with IO. 21 participants stated that IO worsened perception. One-third of the sample shows benefit on reading (>5%) with colored lenses. Prevalence in adults equal in children. |
4 |
Scott et al. 20023434 Scott L, McWhinnie H, Taylor L, Stevenson N, Irons P, Lewis E, Evans M, Evans B, Wilkins A. Coloured overlays in schools: Orthoptic and optometric findings. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2002;22(2):156-165. DOI: 10.1046/j.1475-1313.2002.00009.x https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1475-1313.2002...
|
Children (age 10 to 12) n = 94 |
63 without IS criterion |
CC |
IO, WRRT, LRT |
IO |
No difference among groups with and without IO. Supports the beneficial effects of IO. |
4 |
|
Children |
|
|
|
|
No significant difference among groups; no increase in reading speed. |
|
Northway, 20033535 Northway N. Predicting the continued use of overlays in school children - A comparison of the Developmental Eye Movement test and the Rate of Reading test. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2003;23(5):457-464. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1475-1313.2003.00144.x
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1475-1313.2003...
|
(age 9 to 15) n = 64 |
With/without lenses |
OB/RP |
IO, WRRT, DEM |
IO |
Improvement only on WRRT, not DEM. Visual symptomatic children found a preferred colored overlay of benefit. |
4 |
Waldie, Wilkins, 20043636 Waldie M, Wilkins A. How big does a coloured overlay have to be? Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2004;24(1):57-60. DOI:10.1046/j.1475-1313.2003.00169.x https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1475-1313.2003...
|
Children (age mean = 9.4) n = 23 |
- |
OB |
IO |
IO |
No significant difference among groups |
4 |
Kriss, Evans, 20053737 Kriss I, Evans BJW. The Relationship between Dyslexia and Meares-Irlen Syndrome. J Res Reading. 2005;28(3):350-364. DOI:10.1111/j.1467-9817.2005.00274.x https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9817.2005...
|
Children (age 7 to 12) n = 64 dyslexic |
32 dyslexic; with / without IO |
CC with 2x2 mixed factorial |
IO, WRRT |
IO |
Control group w. higher scores in WRRT; 34% of dyslexic group up to 8% faster on WRRT with IO. IS affected normal readers. Although no significant difference in prevalence, more IS in dyslexic children. |
4 |
Hollis, Allen, 20063838 Hollis J, Allen PM. Screening for Meares-Irlen sensitivity in adults: can assessment methods predict changes in reading speed? Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2006;26(6):566-71. DOI:10.1111/j.1475-1313.2006.00401.x https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-1313.2006...
|
Adults (age 18 to 58) n = 58 |
- |
OB/PP |
IO WRRT PGT |
IO |
No benefit of IO for normal. Self reported symptom. Reading speed test recommended. |
4 |
Riddel et al. 20063939 Riddell PM, Wilkins A, Hainline L. The effect of coloured lenses on the visual evoked response in children with visual stress. Optometry Vision Sci. 2006;83(5):299-305. DOI:10.1097/01.opx.0000216125.83236.af https://doi.org/10.1097/01.opx.000021612...
|
Children (age 9 to 16) 10 (6 male; 4 female) |
- |
OB/CS |
Previous IO users; VEP |
IO |
No significant differences among groups. No objective VEP differences can be measured in all children who claim benefit from the use of colored lenses. |
4 |
Kruk et al. 20084040 Kruk R, Sumbler K, Willows D. Visual processing characteristics of children with Meares-Irlen syndrome. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2008; 28(1): 35-46. DOI:10.1111/j.1475-1313.2007.00532.x https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-1313.2007...
|
Children (age 9 to 10) n = 36 |
18 non-dyslexic |
OB/PP |
IRPS, LILP, WRAT |
No intervention |
No difference among normal readers and dyslexic. IS diagnosis was not an indicator of visual deficit subtype of dyslexia. No relationship between IS and reading performance. |
4 |
|
Children |
|
|
|
|
NARA and SDMT improved in all groups. |
|
|
(age 7 to 11) |
|
|
|
|
IDPS improved in placebo and experimental, and decreased in control. |
|
Mitchell et al. 20081010 Mitchell C, Mansfield D, Rautenbach S. Coloured filters and reading accuracy, comprehension and rate: A placebocontrolled study. Perceptual Motor Skills. 2008;106(2):517-532. DOI:10.2466/PMS.106.2.517-532 https://doi.org/10.2466/PMS.106.2.517-53...
. |
n = 49 (35 male, 14 female) |
With/without lenses |
PCT |
IDPS, NARA, SDMT, IC |
IO |
No difference among placebo and experimental groups. |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clear definition of visuoperceptual reading disabilities impaired the possible conclusion and experimental design. |
|
Nichols et al. 20094141 Nichols SA, McLeod JS, Holder RL, McLeod HS. Screening for dyslexia, dyspraxia and Meares-Irlen syndrome in higher education. Dyslexia 2009;15(1): 42-60. DOI:10.1002/dys.382 https://doi.org/10.1002/dys.382...
|
University students (mean age 23.4) n = 74 (7 male) |
- |
OB/PP |
IO, WRRT, LADS |
- |
24% revealed IS. LADS occurred within IS. More research is needed. |
4 |
|
Adults |
|
|
|
|
No improvement in reading. |
|
Taub et al. 20094242 Taub MB, Shallo-Hoffmann J, Steinman S, Steinman B. The effect of colored overlays on reading eye movements in adults. J Behav Optometry. 2009;20(6), 143-149.
|
N = 60 |
No referred symptoms of IS |
OB/PP |
Visagraph® |
Colored lenses |
No difference among groups. The IS symptoms were related to binocular/accommodative vision disorder. |
4 |
Ritchie et al. 20114343 Ritchie SJ, Della Sala S, McIntosh RD. Irlen colored overlays do not alleviate reading difficulties. Pediatrics 2011;128(4):932-8. DOI:10.1542/peds.2011-0314 https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2011-0314...
|
Children (primary school) n = 75 |
- |
OB/PP |
LILT, WRRT, MMSE, GORT |
IO |
No gain in reading. No difference among groups for all tests. More orthoptic problem in IS group. |
3 |
Vidal-López 20114444 Vidal-López J. The role of attributional bias and visual stress on the improvement of reading speed using colored filters. Percept Mot Skills. 2011;112(3):770-82. DOI: 10.2466/15.19.24.PMS.112.3.770-782 https://doi.org/10.2466/15.19.24.PMS.112...
|
Secondary students (mean age 12) n = 54 (28 males) |
27 paired individuals without IS |
CC |
PGT, IO, ISSST, PROLEC, SI, VS-SDT |
IO |
No differences with IO users. Attributional bias. Did not support the visual stress theory. Suggested strong motivational effects. |
3 |
Ritchie et al. 20124545 Ritchie SJ, Della Sala S, McIntosh RD. Irlen colored filters in the classroom: A 1-year follow-up. Mind Brain Educ. 2012;6(2):74-80. DOI:10.1111/j.1751-228X.2012.01139.x https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-228X.2012...
|
IS children (mean age 9) n = 18 |
10 non-IS |
CC/CH (1yr) |
WRRT, MMSE, GORT |
IO |
No difference among groups. No improvements with IO after 1yr. No benefits to reading. No effects in short or long term. |
4 |
Chang et al. 20144646 Chang M, Kim SH, Kim JY, Cho YA. Specific visual symptoms and signs of Meares-Irlen syndrome in Korean. Korean J Ophthalmol. 2014; 28(2):159-63. DOI:10.3341/kjo.2014.28.2.159 https://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2014.28.2.15...
|
IS students (age 8 to 34) n = 34 |
11 dyslexic |
CC |
Not specified |
IO Korea |
Improvement needed on IS diagnosis. Lenses efficacy should be measured. Objectively testing for the syndrome. Further studies required. |
4 |
Kim et al. 20154747 Kim JH, Seo HJ, Ha SG, Kim SH. Functional magnetic resonance imaging findings in Meares-Irlen syndrome: a pilot sudy. Korean J Ophthalmol. 2015;29(2):121-5. DOI:10.3341/kjo.2015.29.2.121 https://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2015.29.2.12...
|
Varied (age 13 to 41) n = 15 |
- |
OB/PP |
Self-reported IS |
IO |
Brain reacts different with and without lenses. Temporal regions activate after lenses. |
4 |
Loew et al. 20154848 Loew SJ, Rodríguez C, Marsh NV, Jones GL, Núñez JC, Watson K. Levels of Visual Stress in Proficient Readers: Effects of Spectral Filtering of Fluorescent Lighting on Reading Discomfort. Span J Psychol. 2015;10(18):E58. DOI:10.1017/sjp.2015.59 https://doi.org/10.1017/sjp.2015.59...
|
Non-clinical samples (age 21 to 60) n = 24 (9 males, 15 females) |
With/without lenses. |
OB |
Self-reported; WRRT; PROLEC; IO |
Tinted lenses |
No differences in reading speeds among participants with and without lenses. Fluorescent lighting can affect readers at all levels of proficiency. |
4 |
Alanazi et al. 20164949 Alanazi MA, Alanazi SA, Osuagwu UL. Evaluation of visual stress symptoms in age-matched dyslexic, Meares-Irlen Syndrome and normal adults. Int J Ophthalmol 2016; 9(4): 617-24. DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2016.04.24 https://doi.org/10.18240/ijo.2016.04.24...
|
Varied (age 18 to 30) n = 450 |
Female medical students |
EP |
Self-reported |
Not defined |
2% dyslexic 6% IS 33% dyslexic and IS |
4 |
Garcia et al. 20175050 Garcia ACO, Momensohn-Santos TM, Vilhena DA. Effects of Spectral Overlays on Reading Performance of Brazilian Elementary School Children. Folia Phoniatr Logop. 2017;69(5-6):219-225. DOI: 10.1159/000484139. https://doi.org/10.1159/000484139....
|
Children (age 9 to 12) n = 68 (36 male, 32 female) |
- |
OB/PP |
IRPS/OO, WRRT |
ISOs |
No significant gain in reading. 9 individuals reported 6% increase in reading speed on WRRT. Filters improved reading rate. |
4 |