Irlen.wikiAn independent record of the Irlen Institute, the Irlen Method and the evidence about them

Claims by the numbers

From Irlen.wiki, an independent record of the Irlen Institute, its colored overlays and filters, and what researchers say

Researched and compiled by the Irlen Wiki editorial team · First published · Revised

In brief: The Irlen Institute’s own figures vary by page: 44 or 46 countries, 170 diagnosticians or clinics, and 54, 100 or 200 studies; this page records 33 stated figures side by side.[1][2][8][4]

A note on independence: Irlen.wiki is an independent record compiled from irlen.com, irlensyndrome.org, public records and published research. It is not operated by the Irlen Institute, sells nothing and gives no medical or educational advice. The Institute’s statements are attributed to it and shown beside independent assessments. Sourcing rules: editorial policy.

Method

This page records every numerical claim found on the Irlen Institute’s and the Irlen Syndrome Foundation’s pages reviewed on 9 November 2026, with the page where it appears. Figures are recorded exactly as stated and are the organizations’ own; none has been independently verified. The aim is to show where the organizations’ figures agree and where they differ.[2][1][7]

Network size

Network figures stated by the Institute
WhatFigureWhereSource
DiagnosticiansMore than 170About page[1]
Clinics170 in the USHome page[2]
ClinicsMore than 170 worldwideFounder page[3]
CountriesMore than 44About page[1]
Countries46 / over 46Home page[2]
Educators trainedMore than 10,000Founder page[3]
Educators trained as screenersMore than 7,000Published research page[4]
School districts using overlaysMore than 4,000Overlays page[5]

The Institute gives two country counts, 44 and 46, and uses 170 for both diagnosticians and clinics, in the United States on one page and worldwide on another.[1][2][3] Educators trained are given as more than 10,000 on one page and more than 7,000 trained as screeners on another; the two may count different things.[3][4]

Reach

Reach figures stated by the Institute
WhatFigureWhereSource
People helpedMore than 1,000,000Testing page[6]
People helpedMillionsHome page[2]
People wearing filtersMore than 100,000Published research page[4]
Overlay usersOver one millionOverlays page[5]

The number of people helped ranges from more than a million to millions; the number wearing filters is given as more than 100,000.[6][2][4]

Prevalence

Prevalence figures: Institute and foundation
GroupInstituteFoundationSources
General population12–14%about 15%[1][7]
Reading and learning difficulties46%; around 50% (FAQ)about 50%[1][8][7]
ADHD33%; up to one thirdabout 30% (with autism)[1][9][7]
Autism33%about 30% (with ADHD)[1][7]
Head injury, concussion, whiplash55%a significant portion[1][7]

The two organizations’ figures are close but not identical. EyeWiki says reliable prevalence estimates have not been established for Irlen syndrome, so none of these figures is treated here as epidemiology.[11]

Research

Research figures
WhatFigureWhereSource
Studies on the methodOver 200Published research page[4]
Peer-reviewed supportive studiesMore than 100Published research page[4]
Peer-reviewed papersOver 54FAQ[8]
Entries in own bibliography93 (91 distinct)Counted for this reference[10]

The Institute’s FAQ cites more than 54 peer-reviewed papers, while its research page cites more than 200 studies and more than 100 peer-reviewed supportive ones. The Institute’s own bibliography lists 93 entries; see bibliography by the numbers.[8][4][10]

Download

All 33 recorded figures are available as irlen-stated-figures-2026-11.csv, with the page URL for each.[2]

Common questions

How many countries is the Irlen Method in?

The Institute says more than 44 on one page and 46 on another.

How many Irlen diagnosticians are there?

More than 170, according to the Institute.

How common does the Institute say Irlen Syndrome is?

12–14% of the general population; the foundation says about 15%. These are not established epidemiological figures.

Further pages

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j About the Irlen Institute. Irlen Institute (irlen.com). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h The Irlen Institute: home page. Irlen Institute (irlen.com). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d Founder Helen Irlen. Irlen Institute (irlen.com). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Published research. Irlen Institute (irlen.com). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  5. ^ a b Irlen colored overlays. Irlen Institute (irlen.com). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  6. ^ a b Testing & treatment. Irlen Institute (irlen.com). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Irlen Syndrome Awareness Week (ISAW). Irlen Syndrome Foundation (irlensyndrome.org). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  8. ^ a b c d FAQs. Irlen Institute (irlen.com). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  9. ^ Attention deficit disorder ADD/HD. Irlen Institute (irlen.com). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  10. ^ a b Bibliography of research. Irlen Institute (irlen.com). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  11. ^ Meares-Irlen syndrome/visual stress (MISViS), reviewed 25 September 2026. EyeWiki, American Academy of Ophthalmology. Retrieved 9 November 2026.