For nearly 50 years, Maureen Richards from Lexington lived in a world of two dimensions. Having suffered from Amblyopia (commonly known as “lazy eye”) since childhood, Maureen underwent eight surgeries, yet she never realized she lacked depth perception. This condition, which caused her right eye to turn inwards, had gone unnoticed in her daily life.
How could she miss something she never knew existed? Maureen simply adapted and moved on. “When I read, I would drop a line and just go back and re-read it. I just thought that was normal,” she says.
Despite 20-20 vision, Maureen’s right eye was still troubling her. She excelled in school, college, and sports, but something always felt off. Determined to understand her vision issue, she started researching online and discovered a groundbreaking solution—Vision Therapy.
Discovering Vision Therapy
Maureen was drawn to Vision Therapy, which she found described as a kind of physical therapy for the eyes and brain. With her background in healthcare, where she often helps patients recover from strokes and other physical ailments, this connection made sense to her. “I’m an active person,” she explains, “and I realized that if I can strengthen the muscles of my body, surely I can strengthen my eyes too.”
It wasn’t until last year that Maureen found out about Dr. Rick Graebe, a specialist in neuro optometry and pediatric eye care, who offers Vision Therapy at his practice in Versailles. She decided to pay him a visit, hoping to finally get her eyes to work together.
After a series of tests, Maureen learned a surprising truth—her right eye had essentially “gone to sleep,” and she had no depth perception. This explained why she had been seeing the world differently from everyone else.
Dr. Graebe developed a customized therapy plan to “wake up” her right eye, consisting of exercises that would encourage her eyes to work as a team.
Seeing the World in 3D for the First Time
The results of Vision Therapy were nothing short of miraculous. For the first time in her life, Maureen began to see the world in 3D. Snowflakes now appeared to float toward her, rather than simply falling. Her sense of depth improved dramatically, allowing her to be more aware of her surroundings and take in the details she had missed for years.
“My world has opened up,” she says, reflecting on her experience. “I see more details. It’s given me more awareness of my surroundings. It’s absolutely gratifying.”
The Power of Vision Therapy for Children
Maureen’s personal success with Vision Therapy has inspired her to become an advocate for children who may be suffering from similar undiagnosed vision issues. She hopes to raise awareness about how Vision Therapy can help young patients.
“When kids are young, their eyes, brain, and hearing all work together,” she explains. “Vision Therapy can help kids become more intuitive, smarter, and more aware of their surroundings.”
Although Maureen wishes she had known about Vision Therapy during her childhood, she’s grateful for the changes it has made in her life today. “I totally get how this will help children,” she says, emphasizing the long-term benefits Vision Therapy can provide for young patients as their brains and bodies develop.
Schedule a Vision Therapy Consultation Near Lexington Today
If you or your child are struggling with vision issues, it may be time to explore the benefits of Vision Therapy. At the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute, located in Versailles and serving the greater Lexington area and Somerset, Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD offers specialized, individualized programs to improve visual function and enhance your quality of life. Whether you need help with eye coordination, depth perception, or other vision challenges, Vision Therapy can make a life-changing difference.
Don’t wait—call 859-879-0089 today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward better vision.
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This blog is based on information from Dr. Rick Graebe as compiled and written by John Lynch.