Wait & SeE...
Why “They’ll grow out of it” is one of the biggest misconceptions in vision
Many families are told to wait. “They’re young.” “They’ll mature.” “Give it time.”
Sometimes that is appropriate. Often it is not, especially when symptoms are consistent and repeatable.
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Here is the misconception. Vision is not just eyesight. Vision is a system that includes how the eyes aim together, how they track accurately, how focusing holds over time, and how the brain processes what the eyes take in. Those skills form the foundation for reading, attention, comfort, and performance.
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The visual system develops early, then builds in layers.
Babies are born with blurry vision and limited coordination. During the first year, the visual system develops rapidly, and the brain lays the foundation for eye teaming, tracking, and focusing. After that, development continues, but it is built on the existing foundation.
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Think of development as a pyramid. The lower layers must be stable before the top layers can run efficiently. When the foundation is weak, the brain does what it always does. It compensates.
The developmental pyramid,
in plain language
A stable visual foundation typically includes:
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Eye teaming and alignment stability
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Tracking control (moving accurately across a page and between targets)
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Focusing stamina and flexibility
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Visual processing efficiency (speed, accuracy, memory, visualization)
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Visual motor integration (handwriting, copying, coordination)
When these foundational skills are not solid, the brain builds workarounds to “get through” school, screens, sports, and daily life. That is where the problems begin.
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Why waiting can be risky for children
Children are masters at compensation. They often do not say “I see double” or “my eyes are fatigued.” They show it in behavior and performance.
Common compensation patterns include:
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Avoiding reading or near work
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Rereading, losing place, skipping lines
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Excessive time for homework, mental fatigue, shutdown
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Acting “wiggly,” inattentive, or resistant during visual tasks
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Being labeled as unmotivated, anxious, or “not a reader”
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Underperforming despite being bright
Over time, many kids do one of two things. They work harder and harder until they burn out, or they quietly give up. “Wait and see” can unintentionally become “watch them struggle.”
The part most people miss
If the visual system is inefficient, the child is spending their energy just to maintain clarity and alignment. That leaves less energy for comprehension, memory, and output. So the child can be capable, but still perform below potential.
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Why do these problems not simply disappear in adults?
Adults do not “grow out of” a weak foundation. They get better at coping. That is why many adults with functional vision issues were never identified as children. They pushed through.
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Then life demands increase, and the system can decompensate.
Common times symptoms flare or worsen:
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High reading load and timed testing (ACT, SAT, AP, IB)
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College and graduate school
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Long workdays on screens
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High stress or sleep disruption
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After a concussion or illness
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When presbyopia begins and focusing demands change
Adults may report headaches, eye strain, dizziness, difficulty reading for long periods, trouble with screens, losing place, or feeling “off,” even when told their eyes are healthy and their prescription is fine.
When “Wait and See” actually makes sense
Waiting can be appropriate when:
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Symptoms are mild
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The issue is tied to a short-term trigger and is resolving
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There is no functional impact on reading, school, work, or comfort
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A defined re-check plan is in place
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The problem is waiting without a plan, while symptoms persist and performance suffers.
The part most people miss
If the visual system is inefficient, the child is spending their energy just to maintain clarity and alignment. That leaves less energy for comprehension, memory, and output. So the child can be capable, but still perform below potential.
​
Why do these problems not simply disappear in adults?
Adults do not “grow out of” a weak foundation. They get better at coping. That is why many adults with functional vision issues were never identified as children. They pushed through.
​
Then life demands increase, and the system can decompensate.
Common times symptoms flare or worsen:
-
High reading load and timed testing (ACT, SAT, AP, IB)
-
College and graduate school
-
Long workdays on screens
-
High stress or sleep disruption
-
After a concussion or illness
-
When presbyopia begins and focusing demands change
Adults may report headaches, eye strain, dizziness, difficulty reading for long periods, trouble with screens, losing place, or feeling “off,” even when told their eyes are healthy and their prescription is fine.
A better approach than guessing
If something feels off and it is repeatable, measure the system. A functional vision evaluation looks beyond 20/20 to identify whether the limiting factor is:
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Eye teaming and stability
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Tracking control
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Focusing stamina
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Visual processing efficiency
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Visual vestibular integration