Many children today are diagnosed with conditions like dyslexia, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, and more. As a pediatric eye doctor and founder of the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute in Kentucky, Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD sees firsthand how these conditions impact young lives. While these diagnoses are real and serious, there is often an underlying issue that goes unnoticed—functional vision problems. Many of these behavioral and learning challenges can be linked to how well a child’s visual system is working, yet this is rarely addressed in standard eye exams.
When a child is diagnosed with dyslexia or ADHD, it's easy to focus on the label. However, these diagnoses don’t provide a clear, objective measure like blood pressure or blood sugar levels do. Instead, they are based on a myriad of behaviors, which means the root cause could vary significantly from one child to another.
For example, a child labeled as dyslexic might have a reading level far below their intelligence. While that information is useful, too often, children internalize these labels and believe they are incapable of performing well in school. This mindset can severely limit their potential. As Dr. Graebe often explains, asking the right "why?" questions can uncover hidden problems that traditional diagnoses miss.
A critical yet often overlooked component of childhood development is how well the visual system is functioning. Vision isn’t just about seeing 20/20; it involves complex processes like eye tracking, focusing, and working together as a team. When these visual skills are underdeveloped, they can manifest in behaviors that mimic ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning disorders.
For instance, children with convergence insufficiency, a condition where the eyes have trouble working together at close range, are three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. Since many of these symptoms overlap, a comprehensive functional vision exam can provide a clearer picture of what’s really going on.
At the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute, we use advanced diagnostic tools that go beyond the typical eye exam. We observe how well a child’s eyes track across a page, align while reading, and perform during everyday tasks like writing or using a computer. This helps us identify specific visual challenges that may be contributing to learning difficulties.
While we never claim to cure ADHD or dyslexia, our approach targets the root causes that could be exacerbating these conditions. By addressing the underlying visual issues, we aim to alleviate the challenges children face in the classroom and beyond.
Take Sarah, a 9-year-old from Danville, Kentucky. Her parents were concerned that she wasn’t reading at her grade level despite being highly intelligent. After undergoing a functional vision exam, we discovered that Sarah’s eyes weren’t tracking properly across the page. Through a customized vision therapy program, Sarah improved her eye coordination, and within months, her reading skills soared. Today, she’s thriving both in school and at home.
One of the most rewarding aspects of our work is watching children rediscover the joys of learning. For many kids, school feels like an endless cycle of frustration. They wake up, go to school, struggle through their assignments, and head to bed exhausted, only to repeat the same cycle the next day. Once their vision improves, though, we often hear them say things like, "I finished my homework early!" Suddenly, they have more time to be kids—to run, jump, and play. This transformation not only improves their academic performance but also their overall quality of life.
If your child is struggling in school or exhibiting behavioral challenges, don’t overlook the possibility of a vision issue. At the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute, we specialize in diagnosing and treating functional vision problems that are often missed in standard eye exams. Our team, led by Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD, offers customized vision therapy programs to help children unlock their full potential.
Schedule a pediatric eye exam in either our Versailles location, serving the greater Lexington and Central Kentucky area, or Somerset, serving Southern Kentucky. To schedule an appointment, call us today at 859-879-0089or click here. Let’s help your child thrive both in and out of the classroom!
