Is the screening appointment, which is a one hour test using a specific set of diagnostic tools to determine your symptoms and if the Irlen lenses will be of benefit. You should be provided with a coloured overlay sheet that you can start to use for reading.
This appointment can be carried out either in an Irlen Specific Clinic or by any individual holding a screening certificate certified by the Irlen Institute California. If not sure, you can ask to see their certificate.
The next appointment can only be conducted by a certified Irlen Diagnostician and determines the correct tint for the Irlen lenses. This is a 2 hour appointment, as it is extremely important the tint is correct, otherwise the lenses could make things worse.
This appointment involves holding the trial lenses up to your eyes while looking at black print on the white page as well as how things in the distance look and determining the tints that are the most comfortable. Without changing the colours of your world.
For school aged children and adults, it involves extensive reading to ensure improved accuracy, fluency and comprehension as well as reduced reading related fatigue, sore eyes and headaches.
For non-readers, we observe body language, facial expressions and concentration and focussing.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE: The lens colour can be a combination of colours and is rarely the exact same colour as the overlay sheet chosen at the Screening.
You receive your new Irlen Lenses and start wearing them for school, study, computers, reading and wherever bright light is bothersome and uncomfortable.
PLEASE NOTIFY THE CLINIC STRAIGHT AWAY IF YOU FEEL THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TINT.
Just as you go to the optometrist for check-ups, tint checks are recommended every 12-18 months to ensure there is no fading and the tint colour is still optimal to the wearers needs. This is especially important for children who are constantly growing and have increased academic demands as they go through school which can reduce the effectiveness of the tint. This is a one hour appointment not the whole process again.
