“Through eye therapy, my son is thriving. His reading, writing, and self-esteem have gone up exponentially. He is so much happier.”
– L. Stone (5/12/09)
As the school year wraps up, many parents are left asking themselves, “Why didn’t my child perform better?” If your child struggled despite having 20-20 vision, the issue might not be with their eyesight, but rather their visual skills. According to Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD, a developmental optometrist in Versailles, Kentucky, three out of every four children with reading difficulties have diminished visual skills, even when their vision seems perfect.
The Link Between Visual Skills and Academic Performance
It’s important to understand that good vision is more than just seeing clearly. Dr. Graebe explains that visual skills can be broken down into two categories: visual efficiency and visual processing. Visual efficiency covers how well the eyes point, focus, and move together, while visual processing is about how the brain interprets what the eyes see.
“Half of the kids who are bright can’t show the world how bright they are due to diminished visual skills,” Dr. Graebe said. “If they lack these necessary skills, they will always fall behind.”
This is often why a child may struggle with reading comprehension or writing, even though their eyesight tests perfectly during a routine exam. Their brain might not be effectively processing the visual information needed for academic success.
How Vision Therapy Can Help
Vision therapy offers a non-invasive solution that doesn’t involve medication. Instead, it consists of sequenced exercises designed to improve the brain’s ability to process visual information. These exercises build new neural pathways, enhancing visual skills that can last a lifetime.
Dr. Graebe stresses that this therapy requires commitment. “There is a 95% success rate, only if the patients do their work,” he said. “We don’t wave a magic wand. We create an environment that allows the brain to teach itself. And we don’t set children up for failure.”
Much like learning any new skill, practice makes perfect. After performing 20-60 minutes of exercises daily for several months, most patients see dramatic improvement in their visual abilities. These improvements lead to better academic performance and a boost in self-esteem.
Real-Life Success Stories
Take, for example, a child from Somerset, Kentucky, who came to the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute struggling with reading and low self-esteem. Although this child had 20-20 vision, they couldn’t fully comprehend what they were reading, which caused frustration in the classroom. After completing several months of vision therapy, their reading skills improved dramatically, and so did their confidence.
“Some children, although they have 20-20 vision, cannot always comprehend what they are seeing,” Dr. Graebe said. “Obviously, this causes problems in the classroom.”
Separate steps and exercises, performed over weeks and months, can help restore crucial skills like visual memory, visualization, and concentration—abilities essential to thriving in an academic setting.
A Path to Success
Sadly, many children are not reaching their full potential in school due to undiagnosed visual problems. With help from vision therapy, academic careers can be transformed. The Neuro-Visual Performance Institute has helped countless children across Central and Southern Kentucky develop these vital skills, setting them on the path to success.
If your child has been struggling in school, even though they have perfect vision, they may benefit from a comprehensive vision evaluation. To schedule an appointment at our Versailles or Somerset locations, call us today at 859-879-0089.
Credit: This blog is based on information from Dr. Rick Graebe as compiled and written by John Lynch.