Irlen Screening · Irlen Lenses · Brain Health Education
When reading feels harder than it should, the answer may be how the brain processes light.
Miranda Makary, BS, RN is a certified Visual Processing/Irlen Diagnostician and brain health educator affiliated with Amen Clinics. She helps adults, parents, and organizations explore whether visual processing stress could be quietly affecting reading, focus, and comfort and what gentle, practical next steps may help.
Serving a nationwide audience · Educational support, not a medical diagnosis
Care grounded in education
A registered nurse. A certified Irlen Diagnostician.
Trained under Helen Irlen, Miranda helps adults and families explore visual processing stress with clear explanations and practical next steps.
Does this sound familiar?
You’ve been told to try harder. Maybe the page itself is the problem.
For some people, words seem to move, blur, or swim on the page. Reading brings headaches, tired eyes, or a need to re-read the same line. Bright lights and white pages feel uncomfortable. None of it is about effort or intelligence. It may be visual processing stress.
- Headaches or eye strain when reading
- Words that appear to move, blur, or run together
- Sensitivity to bright lights, glare, or fluorescent lighting
- Skipping lines or losing your place often
- Tiredness or trouble concentrating while reading
- A child who avoids reading or says it’s “too hard”
Free & interactive
Don’t just read about visual stress. Experience it
Our interactive self-check lets you feel what visual stress can look like, then slide through colors that recolor the page live to find the one that feels most comfortable on your eyes. About 3 minutes, no sign-up required.
Or try it instantly: tint this entire website in a color and notice whether reading feels calmer. Your choice follows you on every page.
Educational only, not a medical diagnosis.
What you’ll do
- Answer a short, friendly symptom check
- See a live distortion simulator (movement, blur, glare)
- Try color overlays that tint the screen in real time
- Get a personalized summary + your most comfortable color
What is Irlen / visual stress?
A different way the brain interprets light and print
Irlen Syndrome, also called visual stress or Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, is understood as a visual processing difference, not a problem with the eyes themselves. For some people, certain wavelengths of light make reading and concentration uncomfortable. An Irlen screening explores whether colored overlays or tints may improve visual comfort.
An Irlen screening may help identify visual processing stress as one area to explore. It is not a medical diagnosis of dyslexia, ADHD, or any medical or learning condition, and it doesn’t replace medical, psychological, educational, or vision evaluation.
Explore Irlen ScreeningHow colored overlays fit in
Colored overlays are transparent sheets placed over a page or screen. For some brains, the right color can reduce visual distortions and make reading feel more comfortable. An Irlen screening helps explore whether a particular color may help.
Individual experiences vary. An Irlen screening is an exploratory, educational step.
How Miranda can help
Four ways to work together
Irlen Screening
An initial screening to explore visual processing stress and whether colored overlays may help with reading comfort.
Explore Irlen ScreeningIrlen Lenses
A separate, individualized lens assessment with a certified Irlen Diagnostician to explore Irlen Spectral Filters.
Explore Irlen LensesBrain Health Support
Practical, education-first guidance and next-step direction to support everyday brain health and habits.
Get Brain Health SupportSpeaking
Warm, evidence-aware talks on Irlen, visual stress, and brain-healthy living for schools, groups, and events.
Invite Miranda to SpeakWho this is for
Education and support for the people who feel something is being missed
About Miranda
A registered nurse who believes education changes lives
Miranda Makary is a registered nurse and certified Visual Processing/Irlen Diagnostician with a background spanning neonatal and pediatric care, health systems management, and healthcare education. She trained under Helen Irlen and is affiliated with Amen Clinics, where she shares brain-health knowledge with patients and the public.
Her approach is warm, practical, and honest: she focuses on screening, lens services, education, and clear next steps, without overpromising.
Read Miranda’s storyTake the next step
Curious whether visual stress could be part of the picture?
Request an Irlen screening and Miranda’s team will follow up by email with next steps. No urgent medical concerns through this form, please.