Many Caledonia parents assume that if their child can see clearly, their vision must be fine. But eyesight and visual function aren’t the same. Vision also includes how the eyes track, focus, and work together. When these skills aren’t working well, learning and behaviour can suffer.
At The Office of Dr. Lorelei Zeiler, we often see children who pass school vision screenings but still struggle with reading or focus. A functional eye exam uncovers deeper issues that standard tests miss. It is often the key to helping your child thrive in and out of the classroom.
What Is a Functional Vision Evaluation?
A functional vision evaluation goes beyond eyesight. It looks at how your child’s brain and eyes work together to take in, organize, and respond to visual information.
During the assessment at The Office of Dr. Lorelei Zeiler, our functional optometrist evaluates your child’s visual system by testing skills like:
- Visual Acuity
- Eye teaming (how the eyes work together)
- Tracking and smooth eye movements
- Focusing flexibility
- Depth perception
- Visual memory and processing speed
This exam helps determine if your child’s struggles are rooted in vision rather than behaviour, motivation, or attention span. In many cases, treating those visual skills through vision therapy can make a dramatic difference in learning and daily life.
Common Signs Your Child May Need a Functional Eye Exam
Not all vision problems are obvious. In fact, many children who need help with visual skills don’t realize anything is wrong—they simply assume school is supposed to be hard or reading is meant to be tiring. Here are some of the most common signs that a functional vision assessment might be the next right step.
1. Reading Is a Daily Struggle
Your child skips lines, loses their place, or complains of tired eyes during reading time. This could indicate poor eye tracking or convergence insufficiency, making it hard to follow text smoothly.
2. Frequent Headaches or Eye Rubbing
If your child rubs their eyes often, squints, or reports headaches after school, it may be due to eye strain or visual fatigue, especially during near work.
3. Trouble Focusing or Paying Attention
It’s easy to confuse vision issues with attention problems. Children with poor focusing flexibility may tune out in class or struggle to shift their gaze between the board and their desk.
4. Poor Hand-Eye Coordination
Difficulty with catching a ball, copying from the board, or even handwriting may point to deficient visual-motor integration, a skill that’s assessed during a functional visual assessment.
5. Letter or Number Reversals Beyond Age 7
Mixing up letters like “b” and “d” or reading “was” as “saw” may suggest visual processing difficulties, especially if it persists past the expected developmental window.
6. Behavioural Issues or Avoidance of Schoolwork
If your child seems frustrated, anxious, or avoids homework altogether, it could be a coping mechanism for undiagnosed vision challenges that make reading or writing physically uncomfortable.
Give Your Child the Vision Tools to Succeed with Functional Eye Care in Caledonia
When a child struggles to read or focus, it affects more than just schoolwork. It can shape their confidence and how they see themselves. At The Office of Dr. Lorelei Zeiler, we believe every child deserves to feel capable and supported, especially when the solution might be as straightforward as a functional vision evaluation.
Our Caledonia team takes the time to understand your child’s needs, explain our findings clearly, and offer the most effective next steps. That may be reassurance, glasses, or a tailored vision therapy plan. Book your child's visual eye exam, and we'll work together to uncover the missing piece.
Functional Vision Assessment FAQs
What’s the difference between a standard eye exam and a functional vision assessment?
A comprehensive eye exam checks eye health and clarity, such as myopia. A functional vision test checks how the eyes move, focus, and work together—skills essential for reading, learning, and attention.
Can a child have 20/20 vision and still need vision therapy?
Yes. Many children with perfect clarity still struggle with eye tracking, depth perception, or visual processing. These issues only show up during a functional vision evaluation.
What happens if my child is diagnosed with a functional vision problem?
If an issue is found, Dr. Zeiler may recommend a vision therapy program tailored to your child’s needs. These sessions are non-invasive, interactive, and designed to build essential visual skills over time.