For children in Central Kentucky, reading difficulties are often more than just academic hurdles—they can indicate underlying vision issues that directly impact learning. Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD, a behavioral optometrist based in Versailles, Kentucky, sheds light on how Vision Therapy (VT) addresses these foundational problems, empowering students to excel academically.
Understanding the Role of Vision in Learning
More than 85% of classroom learning relies on visual processing. For many children, undiagnosed visual issues such as convergence insufficiency (CI) can hinder their ability to read, leading to frustration and a lack of interest in schoolwork. CI occurs when the eyes struggle to work together, especially for close-up tasks like reading and writing. This difficulty causes blurred or double vision, making it challenging for children to follow lines of text and track words accurately.
As Dr. Graebe explains, CI is often mistaken for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), as both conditions can manifest as a lack of focus and attention in class. He highlights a significant correlation: children with convergence insufficiency are three times more likely to receive an ADD diagnosis. “I see CI in around 90% of my patients, either as a standalone condition or combined with other functional vision issues,” says Dr. Graebe. “When children can’t keep their eyes converged, they struggle to focus on words and track them across the page. It’s no wonder they don’t enjoy reading.”
Vision Therapy: More than Just Physical Therapy for the Eyes
Vision Therapy is a customized program that strengthens the connection between the eyes, brain, and body. Like other forms of physical therapy, VT retrains the visual system to work in harmony, targeting specific skills such as tracking, focusing, and hand-eye coordination. For children who have trouble converging their eyes, VT can be life-changing.
The therapy begins with a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s visual system. Based on the findings, Dr. Graebe’s team creates an individualized plan, which might involve VT alone or in combination with other treatments like occupational therapy. Dr. Graebe emphasizes the value of early intervention but notes that significant improvements can still be achieved later in childhood. “While I think OT is valuable, we can have an even greater impact with Vision Therapy after the age of three,” he says.
The results of VT are often dramatic. In just 30 weeks of therapy, students commonly see improvements equivalent to three years of visual skills development. And these benefits last a lifetime: the neural pathways created through VT enable children to see more effectively and navigate their world with greater confidence.
A Success Story from Southern Kentucky
Consider the story of “Sam,” an 8-year-old from Somerset who struggled with reading. He avoided reading whenever possible, saying it made his eyes hurt. His parents brought him to Dr. Graebe’s Neuro-Visual Performance Institute in Versailles, where an examination revealed that Sam had convergence insufficiency. Through 30 weeks of Vision Therapy, Sam’s reading skills and confidence skyrocketed. His test scores improved, and he now eagerly reads on his own. Stories like Sam’s are common at Dr. Graebe’s practice, which sees children from across Central and Southern Kentucky.
Ready to Help Your Child Reach Their Potential?
If your child is facing difficulties in reading or focusing in the classroom, a functional vision assessment could uncover the root causes. Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD and his team at the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute are here to help. With locations in Versailles, serving the greater Lexington area, and Somerset, they’re one of the few pediatric specialty practices in Central and Southern Kentucky dedicated to vision therapy.
To schedule an appointment, call 859-879-0089 today.
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This blog is based on information from Dr. Rick Graebe as compiled and written by John Lynch.