Is your child’s schoolwork slipping, even though they’re bright and curious? For parents, it’s disheartening to see their child underachieve, especially when issues like poor handwriting, trouble remembering what they’ve read, or a strong dislike for school arise. Many times, these issues aren’t linked to intelligence or effort—they’re rooted in visual system inefficiencies. Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD, a behavioral optometrist based in Versailles, Kentucky, has dedicated his career to transforming the lives of struggling students through Vision Therapy, a specialized approach that goes far beyond traditional eyesight correction.
Understanding Vision Therapy: Why Clear Sight Isn’t Enough
Many of us associate good vision solely with clarity on an eye chart. However, to excel in a classroom where up to 85% of learning is visual, a child needs more than clear sight. They need a highly functional visual system capable of focusing, tracking, and working seamlessly with other senses. This system should also enable the brain to process visual information like a mental “movie.” Unfortunately, many students develop inefficiencies in these areas, leading to issues in reading, spelling, handwriting, and even their attitude towards school.
Vision Therapy offers a solution. Unlike standard eye exams, this therapy evaluates and isolates necessary skills such as eye pointing, tracking, and processing efficiency, addressing the core issues behind reading struggles. As Dr. Graebe explains, it’s not about reading itself but enhancing the underlying skills that make reading and learning accessible and enjoyable for children.
How Vision Therapy Transforms Academic Performance
For years, Dr. Graebe’s Vision Therapy program has brought about life-changing improvements for students across Central Kentucky. After completing 30 weeks of Vision Therapy, students typically report classroom gains equivalent to three years of progress. This dramatic improvement results from a range of exercises that integrate both vision and physical coordination, including pencil and puzzle games, ball-handling activities, and balance exercises on beams.
For children, these activities feel like play, which is why Vision Therapy has earned a reputation for being both effective and enjoyable. In fact, Dr. Graebe compares it to “The Karate Kid,” where exercises seem unrelated to the problem at first but ultimately lead to newfound skills. Students who once struggled to follow text on a page find that words begin to flow, reading becomes less effortful, and they gain confidence in the classroom.
Why Vision Therapy Is Different from Tutoring
Unlike tutoring, which focuses on teaching specific subjects, Vision Therapy builds the foundational visual skills necessary for academic success. Dr. Graebe compares this transformation to removing weights from a child’s ankles; once the visual impediments are lifted, students no longer struggle to keep up. They not only improve academically but also start enjoying learning again.
Dr. Graebe’s commitment to helping children reach their potential has made him a trusted resource for families throughout Central Kentucky. “The fact that we can help children reach their potential is why I get up in the morning,” he shares. The success of his program has led families from all over to seek his services, often because they haven’t found effective results elsewhere.
Ready to Unlock Your Child’s Potential?
At the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute, located in Versailles and Somerset, Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD has spent decades helping students thrive through Vision Therapy. If your child is struggling in school, they may benefit from a comprehensive evaluation that looks beyond 20/20 vision to assess their complete visual and sensory system. With Vision Therapy, your child could experience not only improved academic performance but a renewed enthusiasm for learning.
To schedule an appointment, call 859-879-0089 . Discover how Vision Therapy can help your child succeed in the classroom and beyond.
Credit Section:
This blog is based on insights from Dr. Rick Graebe as compiled and written by John Lynch.
Thank you for considering Neuro-Visual Performance Institute, with convenient locations in Versailles and Somerset, serving families in the greater Lexington area. Let us help your child reach their full potential with the benefits of Vision Therapy.