Learning-Related Vision Problems
Learning involves more than academic skills; it requires well-coordinated visual abilities that support reading, comprehension, and focus.
At the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute in Versailles and Somerset, Kentucky, Dr. Rick Graebe, FCOVD, and his dedicated team specialize in diagnosing and treating learning-related vision problems for children across Central and Southern Kentucky, including Lexington, Danville, and Nicholasville. For parents seeking solutions to their child’s academic challenges, Dr. Graebe provides the critical expertise needed to identify and address underlying vision issues that may be affecting their learning.
Seeing to Succeed: Helping Your Child Reach Their Full Potential
A developmental eye exam is crucial for identifying underlying visual problems, such as poor eye tracking or focusing, that often mimic learning disabilities and prevent children from achieving their best.
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1 in 4 children face binocular vision disorders, making it harder for their eyes to work together and impacting both their learning and everyday activities.
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Research shows that treatable vision issues, including difficulties with eye tracking and focus, are a major factor in reading challenges for 75% of children.
Learn More ➜79% of children struggling with reading also face challenges in binocular/vergence, oculomotor, or accommodative skills
Vision is much more than 20/20 clarity—it encompasses a range of skills like tracking, focusing, and processing that are essential for reading, writing, and learning, making it vital to evaluate these skills when children face academic challenges.
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Recognize the signs of learning-related vision problems—issues like difficulty focusing, eye teaming, or tracking can impact your child’s reading and writing skills, and early detection can transform their academic success.
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Is your child’s reading difficulty caused by dyslexia, vision issues, or both? Many symptoms overlap, making it essential to identify the cause of struggles in order to pave the way for effective solutions.
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What Are Learning-Related Vision Problems?
Learning-related vision problems are not issues of visual acuity or clarity (like needing glasses to see clearly). Instead, they stem from how the eyes and brain work together to process information effectively. These challenges involve:
- Eye Tracking: The ability to follow a line of print smoothly and accurately.
- Eye Teaming (Binocular Vision): Coordinating the two eyes to focus on the same point, creating a single, cohesive image.
- Focus Control (Accommodation): Adjusting focus for objects at varying distances, especially close-up work.
- Visual-Motor Integration: Eye-hand coordination essential for writing and sports.
Symptoms of Learning-Related Vision Problems
Children struggling with learning-related vision issues may show specific symptoms that affect academic performance and daily activities:
- Eye Tracking: The ability to follow a line of print smoothly and accurately.
- Eye Teaming (Binocular Vision): Coordinating the two eyes to focus on the same point, creating a single, cohesive image.
- Focus Control (Accommodation): Adjusting focus for objects at varying distances, especially close-up work.
- Visual-Motor Integration: Eye-hand coordination essential for writing and sports.
Why Vision Matters in Learning
Vision is integral to the learning process—nearly 80% of classroom instruction is visually based. Without properly functioning visual skills, children may misinterpret information, struggle with reading comprehension, or show signs of fatigue. In fact, research has shown that children with undiagnosed vision issues are often misdiagnosed with ADHD or dyslexia due to overlapping symptoms like inattentiveness and reading difficulties.
Vision Therapy: What It Entails
Vision therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, it’s a series of tailored exercises and activities conducted under the supervision of Dr. Graebe and his trained team. The therapy aims to retrain the eyes and brain to work together seamlessly. Common components of therapy include:
Research has shown that office-based vision therapy is highly effective for children with convergence insufficiency (CI), a common binocular vision disorder associated with difficulty reading. The Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial (CITT), funded by the National Eye Institute, demonstrated that in-office therapy produced lasting results in over 75% of children who participated.
Is Your Child Reaching Their Full Potential?
Dr. Graebe’s Approach: Vision Therapy for Learning-Related Vision Problems
Dr. Rick Graebe and his team offer vision therapy, a personalized treatment designed to correct issues with eye tracking, eye teaming, and focus control. Vision therapy strengthens the connection between the eyes and brain, enabling children to process visual information accurately and efficiently.
Success Stories: Vision Therapy in Action
Michael’s Success Story from Nicholasville, KY
Michael, a 10-year-old from Nicholasville, displayed symptoms of ADHD, including trouble focusing in class. His parents were concerned, especially after other treatments didn’t help. Following a comprehensive exam with Dr. Graebe, it was revealed that Michael’s symptoms stemmed from a tracking issue, not ADHD. Through vision therapy, Michael improved his focus and now completes his homework independently—a change his parents call “life-changing.”
Anna’s Transformation from Danville, KY
Anna, an 8-year-old from Danville, struggled with reading and often avoided schoolwork due to frustration. Her teacher noticed Anna’s tendency to skip lines and become easily distracted. After visiting Dr. Graebe, she was diagnosed with convergence insufficiency. Over several months of vision therapy, Anna’s reading fluency improved dramatically, and her confidence soared. “She loves reading now,” says her mother. “She’s even helping her younger sister learn to read!”
Why Choose Neuro-Visual Performance Institute?
Dr. Graebe’s experience and specialization in neuro-optometric rehabilitation make him a trusted expert in identifying and treating vision-related learning problems. With a deep understanding of how vision impacts learning, he has helped children across Central and Southern Kentucky unlock their full potential through targeted, effective vision therapy.
Evidence-Based Benefits of Vision Therapy
Improved Academic Performance: Children who undergo vision therapy often experience better reading comprehension, enhanced focus, and reduced fatigue, enabling them to participate more fully in school activities.
Increased Confidence and Self-Esteem: Struggling academically can be frustrating and discouraging for children. By addressing the root cause of their difficulties, vision therapy can help boost a child’s self-confidence, leading to a more positive school experience.
Reduced Misdiagnosis of Learning Disabilities: Vision therapy treats visual components of learning difficulties, helping to reduce misdiagnoses of ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning disorders.
Schedule an Evaluation with Dr. Rick Graebe Today!
If you suspect your child’s learning challenges may be related to vision, don’t wait to seek help. Dr. Graebe’s expertise in diagnosing and treating vision-related learning issues through vision therapy can make a profound difference. With offices in Versailles and Somerset, Kentucky, Dr. Graebe proudly serves patients from Lexington, Danville, Nicholasville, and beyond.
Contact Neuro-Visual Performance Institute at 859-879-0089 to schedule a functional vision assessment for your child today. See how Dr. Graebe and his team can help your child thrive in school and beyond.
Versailles Location
105 Crossfield Dr., Suite B
Versailles, KY 40383
P: 859-879-0089
F: 859-214-8008