As a parent, you want the best for your child, including ensuring they are successful in school. But have you ever wondered if a simple eye chart test is enough to determine their visual needs? Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD, an optometrist in Versailles, Kentucky, believes that traditional eye exams often fall short of identifying significant issues related to near-point vision, which can severely affect a child’s learning abilities.
The Limitations of Standard Eye Exams
Most eye exams involve reading letters on a chart from 20 feet away. This only measures distance vision and can give the impression that your child’s eyesight is perfect. However, as Dr. Graebe points out, “Less than 25% of eye doctors check for near-point vision, the ability to focus up close.”
The reality is that more than 75% of classroom activities involve close-up work, such as reading and writing. Unfortunately, the standard eye chart test doesn’t catch problems with near-point vision, which could explain why some children with 20/20 eyesight still struggle academically.
Vision Therapy: More Than Just Seeing Clearly
Vision Therapy goes beyond simple sight correction. Dr. Graebe, a specialist in pediatric eye care, emphasizes that vision therapy addresses how well the eyes work together, how the brain processes visual information, and how vision integrates with other senses. These skills are vital for tasks like reading and tracking across a page.
Vision Therapy is essentially a form of neurocognitive retraining, aiming to create permanent pathways in the brain that improve visual function for life. Unlike traditional methods that focus solely on clear eyesight, this approach helps children develop the visual skills necessary for academic success.
The Impact on Students
Many students with perfect distance vision may struggle with close-up tasks like reading. This is where Vision Therapy comes in. By addressing how the eyes move and focus, children can improve their reading abilities, concentration, and overall academic performance. For example, if your child is having difficulty following words on a page, they may benefit from Vision Therapy.
Dr. Graebe often uses tools like exercise balls, mini trampolines, and balance beams as part of his therapy sessions, making the exercises both fun and effective for children. The results? The walls of his office are covered with thank-you letters from grateful parents and children whose lives have been transformed.
Success Stories From Southern and Central Kentucky
One such success story is a young boy from the greater Lexington area who struggled with reading. His teachers suspected he had a learning disability, but after visiting Dr. Graebe’s office in Versailles, it became clear that the issue was his visual processing. Through a customized Vision Therapy program, his ability to focus improved significantly, and his reading skills followed suit. Now, he’s excelling in school, much to the relief of his parents and teachers.
This kind of success is not uncommon at Neuro-Visual Performance Institute, where patients come from across Central and Southern Kentucky, including cities like Frankfort, Danville, and Nicholasville, seeking specialized pediatric eye care and neuro-optometric rehabilitation.
Schedule Your Child’s Vision Therapy Assessment Today
At Neuro-Visual Performance Institute, we believe that vision is more than just 20/20 eyesight. If your child is struggling in school, it could be due to an undiagnosed vision issue. Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD and his team are here to help your child develop the visual skills they need to succeed in life. With locations in Versailles, serving the greater Lexington area, and Somerset, we are one of the few pediatric specialty practices in Central and Southern Kentucky.
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.