When you walk into Dr. Rick Graebe’s office in Versailles, Kentucky, you might see something unexpected. Among the usual equipment you’d find in an optometrist’s office are a mini-trampoline, a 51-inch plasma screen, balance beams, bean bag games, and even a Wii Fit board. Children might be playing with puzzles at the desk or walking on a balance beam, while catching bean bags and counting by threes—all to the beat of a metronome. This scene leaves many parents with the same reaction: “Well, you’re just playing games!”
To which Dr. Graebe, a specialist in pediatric eye care and neuro-optometry, responds, “That’s exactly right.”
Play: The Work of Children
Dr. Graebe believes that play is not just fun for children, but also their form of work. At the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute, he uses Vision Therapy—a kind of physical therapy for the eyes, brain, and body—that incorporates play as a central part of treatment. Vision Therapy helps children with underdeveloped visual systems, which often go unnoticed until they begin struggling in school. In fact, with 75% of classroom activities relying on close-up work like reading and screen use, children with poor visual development often find themselves at a disadvantage.
Why Vision Matters in Learning
Children with a poorly developed visual system experience the world as if they’re watching a TV show with the sound out of sync with the picture. They simply can’t focus on the message, which impacts their performance in school. Dr. Graebe’s Vision Therapy aims to re-integrate the senses by encouraging children to engage multiple senses at once through various tasks. For example, a child might walk on a balance beam while catching bean bags and counting. This kind of multi-tasking strengthens the connection between the eyes, brain, and body, helping the visual system become dominant.
Dr. Graebe emphasizes that, “We want the visual system to be the top sense for maximum performance.” When the visual system is working well, children are more likely to thrive academically and socially.
Vision Therapy in Action
While the playful atmosphere may seem like fun and games, every activity in Dr. Graebe’s office is purposefully designed to help children develop their visual skills. Many parents report seeing significant improvement in their child’s schoolwork and confidence after undergoing Vision Therapy. Dr. Graebe also recommends that children spend time outdoors, engaging in unstructured play. This free playtime is just as essential, as it allows children to use all of their senses in a natural environment, further strengthening their visual skills.
As a pediatric eye doctor with over 35 years of experience, Dr. Graebe understands how critical proper visual development is for a child’s overall success. His patients come from across the greater Lexington area, including cities like Frankfort, Danville, and Berea, to receive the specialized care they need to succeed.
Schedule Your Child’s Vision Therapy Appointment Today
If your child is struggling in school or showing signs of visual discomfort, it might be time to consider Vision Therapy. At the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute in Versailles, Kentucky, we offer individualized therapy plans designed to help children reach their full potential. We also serve patients from the greater Lexington area and Southern Kentucky. To schedule an appointment at our Versailles or Somerset locations, call us at 859-879-0089.
Credit:
This blog is based on information from Dr. Rick Graebe as compiled and written by John Lynch.