Reading might appear to be a natural ability, but in reality, it places a unique set of demands on our visual system. For some students, these demands can turn reading into a daily struggle. At the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute in Versailles and Somerset, Dr. Rick Graebe, a specialist in pediatric eye care, provides insights and solutions for children who find reading challenging.
The Hidden Challenges of Reading
Our eyes are designed to see the world in three dimensions, but much of the learning process—especially in school—requires focusing on two-dimensional words on a page or screen. Dr. Rick Graebe explains that students spend as much as 75% of their time on close-up work, which can be difficult for those whose eyes struggle to adapt.
Reading involves the eyes working together in a highly coordinated way. First, they must converge, or turn inwards, to focus on a word. Then, they track from word to word and line to line while the brain processes these images into meaningful information. For many students, difficulties in one or more of these areas can make reading a slow and frustrating task.
Common Vision-Related Reading Issues
Dr. Graebe notes that children who struggle with reading may have issues with tracking, which is the ability to move the eyes smoothly along a line of text. They may also find it hard to quickly jump to the next line. These challenges often go undiagnosed, leading to misconceptions about a child’s academic potential.
Fortunately, Dr. Graebe and his team are experienced in identifying and addressing these issues. A simple vision test can assess whether a person’s eyes are tracking properly and working together as they should during reading.
Solutions for Improving Reading Skills
For children facing these vision-related reading difficulties, Dr. Graebe offers several treatment options:
- Vision Therapy: This program helps train the eyes to move accurately across the page and focus on text in a controlled manner. Through a series of guided exercises, children learn to overcome convergence issues, helping them improve reading fluency and comprehension.
- Stress Lenses: These specialized glasses alleviate eye strain by aiding in focusing, which can significantly reduce the effort required to read. Stress lenses are especially helpful for children who read slowly or experience discomfort while reading. Dr. Graebe shares that for some children, the difference is immediate, with parents often amazed by the transformation in their reading ability.
- Sequential Skill Mastery: Vision therapy at Neuro-Visual Performance Institute follows a four-step process to help children reach full visual proficiency. Initially, children may not be aware of the visual issues affecting their reading. Through therapy, they begin to recognize and consciously work on their visual skills until they can read fluently without needing to focus on the effort.
By addressing the root cause of reading struggles, Dr. Graebe’s approach not only enhances reading skills but also helps children gain confidence and improve academically.
Ready to Enhance Your Child’s Reading Skills?
At Neuro-Visual Performance Institute, we are dedicated to helping children in the greater Lexington area and across Central and Southern Kentucky reach their academic potential. If your child is having difficulty with reading, it may be due to an undiagnosed vision issue.
Schedule an appointment today with Dr. Rick Graebe, an experienced pediatric eye doctor in Versailles and Somerset. Call us at 859-879-0089 and take the first step toward better reading and learning success for your child.
Credit:
This blog is based on information from Dr. Rick Graebe as compiled and written by John Lynch.