When Mike and Renee Ward noticed that both of their daughters, Anna and Taylor, were struggling with vision-related issues, they knew something had to be done. Anna was having trouble reading in first grade, while Taylor, at just five years old, struggled with depth perception and turning her head to see things clearly. Concerned about their daughters’ vision and confidence, the Wards turned to Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD, a pediatric eye doctor in Versailles, KY, for Vision Therapy.
The Power of Vision Therapy
Anna’s vision issues stemmed from her eyes not working together properly, making it difficult for her to track words across a page. This problem, known as convergence insufficiency, can significantly impact a child’s ability to read and learn. Fortunately, Dr. Graebe and his team at the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute designed a 30-week vision therapy program tailored specifically for Anna.
During her sessions, Anna participated in fun exercises that strengthened the coordination between her eyes and brain. “They make it a game and have a lot of fun,” said Mike Ward, describing the playful approach to the therapy. These exercises included bouncing a ball while wearing an eye patch and rhythmic finger tapping to the beat of a metronome.
“Anna’s come a long way. She wants to read and enjoys it. It’s really helped a lot,” Ward said, noting the significant improvement in his daughter’s reading skills.
Now in third grade, Anna excels in reading comprehension and even writes her own stories. One of her proudest creations is a short book called “Captain Carrot,” about a carrot living in the refrigerator. “She has greatly, greatly improved. She’s back in control again,” Ward proudly shared.
Addressing Taylor’s Vision Issues
The Wards’ younger daughter, Taylor, also faced vision challenges. Mike noticed that Taylor was turning her head to see things and had trouble recognizing objects without touching them. Her left eye had started turning inward, affecting her depth perception.
Instead of opting for surgery, which many doctors recommended, Mike brought Taylor to Dr. Graebe. “No way,” Ward said in response to the suggestion of surgery. “Dr. Graebe is adamantly opposed to that, and I agree with his philosophy.”
Through vision therapy, Taylor wore specialized red-green lenses and traced letters to improve her motor skills and eye alignment. Over time, her left eye began to straighten, and her depth perception improved. Taylor’s therapy not only enhanced her vision but also positively impacted other areas of her life.
“It’s worth it to have my kids be able to read,” Ward said. “Taylor is playing soccer, and she can actually see to kick the ball.”
Vision Therapy: A Holistic Approach to Vision Health
The success stories of Anna and Taylor demonstrate how vision therapy can transform the lives of children with undiagnosed vision problems. At Neuro-Visual Performance Institute, Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD emphasizes treating vision issues without surgery whenever possible. His holistic approach integrates the eyes, brain, and body to improve overall vision performance and well-being.
If your child struggles with reading, depth perception, or eye alignment, vision therapy may be the solution. Dr. Graebe and his team, serving families from Versailles and the greater Lexington area, as well as Somerset, KY, specialize in helping children enhance their vision in a fun and effective way.
Schedule Your Pediatric Eye Exam Today
To learn more about how vision therapy can help your child, schedule an appointment at one of our locations in Versailles or Somerset. Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD and his team are here to help your child reach their full potential in school, sports, and everyday life. Call us at 859-879-0089 to take the first step toward better vision today.
Credit
This blog is based on information from Dr. Rick Graebe as compiled and written by John Lynch.