For many children, challenges in reading and learning at school can be linked to vision issues that go beyond typical eyesight. Vision Therapy, a type of physical therapy for the eyes, brain, and body, offers an effective solution for a range of visual problems. This therapy has the power to improve not only vision but also various aspects of daily life.
The Struggles Sara Faced
Consider Sara Harris, a junior at Lexington Catholic High School, who struggled with reading for years. Her eyes would water, she’d experience headaches, and it was difficult to focus on the text in front of her. Although her vision tested as 20/20, Sara continued to face problems that impacted her school performance and overall well-being.
Sara’s mother, a physical therapist, recognized that there might be more going on with her daughter’s visual system. She had heard of Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD, a specialist in pediatric eye care and neuro-optometric rehabilitation, and decided to bring Sara to his office in Versailles for further evaluation.
During Sara’s first visit, Dr. Graebe administered a series of detailed visual tests. To her surprise, Sara’s test results were significantly below average. This opened her eyes to the possibility that her struggles weren’t just in her head—there was a real visual issue at play.
How Vision Therapy Helped Sara
Dr. Graebe explained to Sara and her mother how the brain processes the information that the eyes see. With this understanding, Sara embarked on a 30-week Vision Therapy program that combined in-office treatments with exercises at home. These efforts required dedication, but the results were life-changing.
Over the course of the therapy, Sara’s reading abilities improved dramatically. The watering eyes, headaches, and focus issues that had plagued her for years disappeared. With her improved visual skills, she was able to stop taking ADHD medication altogether.
Sara’s school performance took a turn for the better as well. Homework that used to be a source of frustration and distraction became much easier. Now, Sara could complete her assignments quickly and efficiently, leaving more time for the things she enjoyed.
The Impact on Sara’s Daily Life
The improvements weren’t limited to her academics. Sara noticed that her overall quality of life improved after completing Vision Therapy. She began to read for pleasure—something that would have been unthinkable before her therapy. Even her piano playing improved, as she could finally focus better on the sheet music.
“Vision Therapy was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Sara shared. “It changed my life.”
What Is Vision Therapy?
Vision Therapy is a personalized, doctor-supervised program designed to correct visual-motor and perceptual-cognitive deficiencies. It’s often a solution for people whose vision is not improving with standard corrective lenses. For Sara, Vision Therapy offered more than just improved eyesight—it allowed her to focus better, perform at her best in school, and even enjoy activities that had once been difficult.
Unlock the Power of Vision Therapy
If your child is struggling with focus, reading, or other learning difficulties, it might be time to explore Vision Therapy. With locations in Versailles serving the greater Lexington area and Somerset, Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD and his team at the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute specialize in helping children improve their visual performance, allowing them to reach their full potential.
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.