You passed your comprehensive eye exam and have 20/20 vision—but your eyes still feel tired, reading is a struggle, or your depth perception seems off. These issues are often dismissed as stress or screen fatigue, but they can point to something deeper: a functional vision problem.
At South Coast Optometry, we help uncover these hard-to-detect problems through a functional vision assessment. If you’re experiencing symptoms without answers, our Costa Mesa eye doctors can pinpoint what’s going on and guide you toward solutions that bring real relief.
What Is Functional Vision?
Functional vision refers to how your eyes, brain, and body work together to make sense of what you see. While a basic eye exam tests your visual acuity (how clearly you see letters on a chart), functional vision measures how well your visual system performs in real-world tasks like:
- Eye tracking when reading
- Focusing on near and far objects
- Depth perception when driving or walking downstairs
- Eye teaming (how well your eyes work together)
- Processing visual information
This is especially important in a place like Costa Mesa, where active lifestyles, long commutes, and screen-heavy jobs make visual stamina critical to everyday comfort.
The Top 6 Signs of a Functional Vision Problem
Functional vision problems can manifest in unexpected ways, often mimicking other issues such as stress, poor sleep, or attention difficulties. Here’s what to watch for:
1. Headaches, Especially After Visual Tasks
If you get headaches during or after reading, using a computer, or driving, your eyes might be overworking to compensate for inefficient visual function. This is a common symptom in both children and adults.
2. Blurred or Double Vision That Comes and Goes
You may see clearly for short periods, but then words start to blur or double, especially when switching between near and far objects. This isn’t always a prescription issue; it’s often linked to poor eye teaming or unstable focus.
3. Difficulty Concentrating While Reading
Losing your place, skipping lines, or re-reading the same paragraph can point to a tracking issue, a core part of functional vision. Many children diagnosed with attention issues actually struggle with visual focus or eye coordination.
4. Motion Sickness or Poor Balance
If you feel off-balance, dizzy, or nauseated while in motion, or even when using screens, it may be due to mismatches in how your visual system and body are working together.
5. Clumsiness or Depth Perception Issues
Walking into doorframes, tripping, or struggling to pour liquids may be signs of poor depth perception. Even subtle challenges with visual-spatial awareness can interfere with daily life.
6. Eye Strain and Fatigue at the End of the Day
A common sign of functional vision strain is the feeling that your eyes are “done” by late afternoon. If you’re constantly rubbing your eyes, feeling mentally foggy, or needing breaks from screens, it could be a vision issue, not just tiredness.
How Vision Therapy at South Coast Optometry Can Help
At South Coast Optometry, our functional vision evaluation is thorough and non-invasive. It goes far beyond a standard eye chart to test how efficiently your visual system is working. During your visit, we’ll assess:
- Eye Tracking: Can your eyes move smoothly across a page or screen? This is key for reading and driving.
- Eye Teaming: Do both eyes work together? Poor eye teaming can cause double vision, poor depth perception, or fatigue.
- Eye Focusing: Can your eyes shift focus quickly and clearly between near and far objects? Difficulties here often lead to blurred vision or headaches.
- Visual Field Testing: This assesses your peripheral vision and identifies any blind spots or areas of reduced vision.
- Visual Information Processing: This measures how well your brain interprets what your eyes see. Delays here can affect reaction time, reading speed, and hand-eye coordination.
- Visual-Motor Integration: This assesses how your eyes guide your body, which is crucial for tasks such as writing, sports, and maintaining balance.
Together, these tests provide a comprehensive picture of your visual function, enabling us to design a customized solution that restores visual comfort and performance.
Get Relief with Functional Vision Exams in Costa Mesa, CA
If you’ve been told your vision is “normal” but you’re still experiencing symptoms, don’t settle for 20/20 alone.
Functional vision problems can interfere with your daily life, and at South Coast Optometry, we help uncover and treat them with care, clarity, and clinical precision. Book your functional vision exam to get the relief you deserve.
Functional Vision FAQs
What is the difference between a functional vision exam and a regular eye exam?
A comprehensive eye exam checks for clarity and eye health, while a functional vision exam measures how well your eyes and brain work together. It tests visual skills, such as tracking, focusing, and good eye teaming.
Who benefits from a functional vision assessment?
Children with reading issues, adults with chronic headaches or dizziness, athletes, and anyone recovering from a brain injury can benefit from a functional vision evaluation.