February’s Super Bowl was a thrilling event for millions, but for Dr. Rick Graebe, a specialist in vision therapy, it carried a special meaning beyond the football action. As he watched Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald perform on the field, Dr. Graebe was reminded of the powerful role that vision therapy can play in athletic success.
Vision therapy is not just about correcting vision problems like lazy eye or crossed eyes. It’s a specialized form of treatment that strengthens the connection between the eyes and the brain, improving skills like hand-eye coordination, visual processing speed, and dynamic vision. These abilities are crucial for athletes, and in Fitzgerald’s case, they may have made all the difference.
Larry Fitzgerald and the Benefits of Vision Therapy
Larry Fitzgerald’s success in the NFL is legendary, and part of that success can be traced back to his childhood. From a young age, Fitzgerald received training from his grandfather, an optometrist who used vision therapy techniques to improve his grandson’s performance on the field. He stood on balance beams, performed hand-eye coordination drills, and learned to process visual information faster. These early interventions helped mold him into one of the NFL’s most reliable receivers, with record-breaking playoff performances.
Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD, who has dedicated over 35 years to vision therapy, emphasizes how this training can turn an average athlete into an elite performer. “For a high school athlete, vision therapy could be the difference between being on the bench and being a starter,” Dr. Graebe explains. “And for athletes already at the top of their game, it can help take them to the next level.”
How Vision Therapy Enhances Athletic Performance
Vision therapy helps athletes in several key areas:
- Static and Dynamic Visual Acuity: This is the ability to see clearly both when standing still and in motion. A baseball player, for example, can benefit from learning to quickly distinguish between different pitches by recognizing the pitcher’s grip.
- Visual Processing Speed: Athletes need to make decisions in a fraction of a second. Vision therapy helps them process visual information faster, making it seem like the game has slowed down for them.
- Hand-Eye Coordination: Vision therapy trains the brain to better coordinate visual input with body movements, which is crucial for sports like tennis, basketball, and baseball.
As Dr. Graebe explains, vision therapy is not just for elite athletes but can also benefit younger kids who are just starting out in sports. Children who may struggle with catching a ball or keeping up in team sports often lack the necessary visual skills, which leads to frustration and can make them less likely to continue playing.
A Local Success Story: Vision Therapy in Action
A recent patient from Danville, KY, exemplifies the power of vision therapy. A high school quarterback struggling with his performance on the field came to Neuro-Visual Performance Institute, seeking help. He was missing easy throws and felt that his reaction time was slow. After undergoing a tailored vision therapy program with Dr. Graebe, his coordination and accuracy dramatically improved. By the end of the season, he had led his team to a state playoff game and received a scholarship offer to play in college.
Unlocking Athletic Potential with Vision Therapy
Vision therapy can be a game-changer for athletes of all ages. Whether you’re a student athlete looking to improve your performance or an adult seeking to enhance your visual skills, Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD and his team at Neuro-Visual Performance Institute can help.
With locations in Versailles, serving the greater Lexington area, and Somerset, the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute is one of the only pediatric specialty practices offering vision therapy in Central and Southern Kentucky.
Schedule a Vision Therapy Consultation Today
If you or your child is looking to take your athletic performance to the next level, consider vision therapy. Call Neuro-Visual Performance Institute today at 859-879-0089 to schedule an appointment at our Versailles or Somerset locations.
Credit:
This blog is based on information from Dr. Rick Graebe as compiled and written by John Lynch.