Kristie McIntyre, a mother from Frankfort, was heartbroken when she discovered the root cause of her son’s academic struggles. Her son, Morton Jr., had been battling undiagnosed vision problems for years, problems that conventional glasses couldn’t solve. Like many parents, Kristie assumed that an eye exam and prescription lenses were all that was needed to correct Morton’s vision. But, despite wearing glasses, Morton’s reading difficulties persisted, and his frustration grew.
It wasn’t until Kristie and her husband visited the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute in Versailles, KY, that they learned about Vision Therapy (VT) from Dr. Rick Graebe, a specialist in pediatric eye care and neuro-optometry.
Morton’s Journey: From Frustration to Success
Morton’s difficulties began in second grade. He would skip lines while reading, struggle with spelling, and often complain of headaches and tired eyes after trying to do homework. “He would work so hard, and then cry because his eyes hurt,” Kristie recalls. His grades reflected these challenges, and his confidence dwindled.
During his evaluation at Dr. Graebe’s clinic, Morton was diagnosed with multiple vision problems, including an inability to track words across a page and difficulty coordinating his eye movements. This explained why reading and focusing for long periods were so difficult for him.
Dr. Graebe recommended Vision Therapy, a customized 30-week program designed to retrain how the eyes and brain work together. Vision Therapy goes beyond just eyesight correction—it’s a form of physical therapy for the eyes, brain, and body. Morton’s program was full of interactive, hands-on activities, and puzzles, which made the process engaging and even fun for him.
“They made it interesting for him, and he really enjoyed the activities,” said Kristie.
A Dramatic Turnaround in the Classroom
The results of Vision Therapy were nothing short of remarkable. By the end of the school year, Morton’s grades had soared to a high B average. He no longer struggled to keep up with his peers and even discovered a new passion for technology. He became actively involved in his school’s Student Technology Leadership Program, producing and anchoring the student newscast. The club even took home first place in a state competition.
“Vision Therapy helped with his confidence,” Kristie shared. “It’s made a huge difference in his schoolwork and overall outlook.”
The Importance of Diagnosing Vision Problems Early
Vision issues like Morton’s are often overlooked in children because traditional eye exams only measure visual acuity—how well a child can see at a distance. Many children with 20/20 vision still suffer from functional vision problems that affect their reading, learning, and everyday activities.
Dr. Graebe’s specialized approach to diagnosing and treating these issues has helped countless children like Morton thrive both in and out of the classroom.
Schedule a Pediatric Vision Exam Near Lexington, KY
If your child is struggling with reading, focus, or schoolwork, it may be due to an undiagnosed vision issue. At Neuro-Visual Performance Institute, Dr. Rick Graebe, FCOVD, specializes in diagnosing and treating functional vision problems in children. With locations in Versailles, serving the greater Lexington area, and Somerset, we help children across Central and Southern Kentucky reach their full potential.
Call us today at 859-879-0089 to schedule a consultation and learn how Vision Therapy can make a difference in your child’s life.
Credit:
This blog is based on information from Dr. Rick Graebe as compiled and written by John Lynch.