The effects of head injuries are most often classified into three categories: physical, cognitive, and behavioral.

The physical effects of head injuries include such symptoms as:

• Headaches and/or migraines
• Seizures
• Loss of motor speed and coordination
• Presence of abnormal movement such as tremors and spasticity

Cognitive changes involve:

• Disorders of attention, concentration, and memory
• Problems with understanding or producing speech
• Difficulties with initiating and planning daily activities
• Poor reasoning and judgment

The behavioral effects include:

• Agitation and irritability
• Verbal and physical aggressiveness
• Impulsivity
• Depression
• Difficulty with interpersonal relationships

Individuals who have suffered a head injury endure physical, cognitive, social, and vocational changes that can affect them for a short period of time or permanently.

For many, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in significant sensitivity to light, glare, contrast, bright colors, patterns and an inability to maintain attention and concentration. The Irlen Method can eliminate or improve these difficulties and improve ability to function.

WARNING: CHECK WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN AS MEDICAL CONDITIONS MAY NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

“I cannot begin to explain how the Irlen Institute has profoundly changed my life. As a professional football player, I experienced 15 – 20 impacts to the head per day and 25 – 30 a game while performing as a running back. I suffer with intermittent bouts of depression, varying degrees of anxiety and paranoia, continuous headaches, with extreme light sensitivity, spontaneous loss of balance, motion sickness, and continuous severe tinnitus. The glasses assist immensely with several of my symptoms. My headaches and feeling nauseous, motion sickness, and light sensitivity are instantaneously gone. I feel more relaxed, less strain and the Irlen lenses feel soothing and I feel a sense of calmness.  I humbly thank Helen Irlen and her wonderful staff for their excellent service and continuous support over these past couple of years.”

– Nickolas “Nick” Bell (Former NFL Football Player)

Damage to the brain makes it vulnerable to external stressors like light. Offensive wave lengths of light create extreme stress on the brain that affects many physical, cognitive and emotional areas of function. Filtering offensive wave lengths of light with the Irlen Method allows the brain to function more normally and helps it heal. Color calms the brain and reduces stress on the central nervous system.

Reported improvements with the use of Irlen Spectral Filters include:

• Speech
• Motor coordination
• Body tremors
• Headaches
• Seizure activity
• Word retrieval
• Communication ability
• Significant reduction in anxiety and irritability

Most changes occur within a short period of time.

Irlen clients with traumatic brain injuries who received Irlen Colored Lenses made steady improvements in areas where change had not previously occurred. Many Irlen clients reported improvements even years after the injury and after a variety of unsuccessful therapies.

Color protects the brain from further stress and allows healing to take place. The longer those with head injuries wear their Irlen Spectral Filters, the greater the increase in normal cognitive, behavioral and academic function.