As a parent, it may be confusing to know what’s normal with your baby’s eye development and if everything is ok with your baby’s vision.
All parents want to make sure their babies are healthy. If you think your baby has a vision problem, it can become an unsettling time. This is complicated by the fact that your baby can’t tell you what’s wrong, making it even harder to diagnose.
Amy Pritchett, health blogger for the contact lens retailer Vision Direct UK, writes about eye health and ways we can protect our vision. Today Amy offers advice to parents with young babies and what to look out for when it comes to infant vision problems.
Sight development in newborns
Your baby’s sight is constantly developing over the first year. Babies’ eyes take time to grow and adjust to the world around them. Just as they learn to walk, they need time to develop their vision. In the first year they learn how to focus eyes, use them together and move them accurately.
Newborns have fuzzy vision; however, they are aware of movement, shapes and light. For example, it is common for babies to blink at flashes of light and move towards a light source. Your baby can only focus about 20cm to 30cm away during the first month (babycentre.co.uk). This is just enough for your baby to make out your face and delight in watching your expressions.
Keep in mind, it’s common for baby’s eyes to look differently during the first three months and this may often cause concern for parents. For example, it is common for infants to have crossed eyes or not see past your face. Many people find it difficult to know if this is a normal part of development or if there is a problem with their baby’s eyes.
Signs of vision problems in babies
If you are unsure about your baby having an eye condition or not, there are common symptoms you can look out for. Here are some signs that your baby may have a vision problem (from the American Optometric Association):
- If your baby is constantly tearing: There might be a problem with his/her tear ducts.
- If your baby’s eyes are red, crusty or irritated: Your baby could have an eye infection.
- If your baby is very sensitive to light: This may be a sign of high eye pressure.
- The presence of a white pupil: This may be an indicator of eye cancer.
- If your baby has constant eye turning: There may be a problem with eye muscle control.
Other signs of vision problems include (from babycentre.co.uk):
- Trouble moving eyes in all directions: This could be due to a muscle problem.
- If your baby’s eyes are crossed most of the time: It is normal for eyes to be crossed within the first year and eventually straighten out. However, if it persists you should consult a GP.
- If your baby has a wandering eye: By six months your baby’s eyes should move together. If they don’t then this might be a condition called strabismus.
- If your baby is unable to follow an object with both eyes by the time of your postnatal check: At this time (6 weeks after birth), babies should have developed the ability to track objects within 8 inches away (aoa.org)
- If your baby is squinting a lot: This could be due to an incorrect balance of muscles. According to The Eye Care Trust, 5-8% of children are affected by a squint.
Close link to developmental growth
Having healthy eyes is critical to how babies learn to see and also to their intellectual development. If they have an eye condition or problems with their vision, this can cause a delay in child development.
Babies use visual information to understand the world around them and engage with their surroundings. Therefore, detecting a vision problem early will give your baby the best chance at healthy development.
What can you do as a parent?
As a parent, you have an important role to look after the health of your baby’s eyes and your baby’s development. During a newborn check, babies get their eyes examined before leaving the hospital. You can get your baby’s eyes examined again at six to eight weeks of age during a postnatal check with your GP. Continue with regular screenings during the first year and onwards.
Be extra cautious if there are vision problems that run in the family. This is also something to share with your GP during a checkup.
You can also help your baby’s vision advancement with a few activities. Here are a few ideas from birth up to four months that will help facilitate healthy vision development (from aoa.org):
- Having a nightlight in your baby’s room
- Adjusting the crib’s position and your baby’s position in it
- Giving your baby reach-and-touch toys within focus range (8 to 12 inches away)
- Speaking to your baby as you walk around the room
- Alternating from left to right during feeding
Always check with a GP
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with a health professional. If you have any concerns about your baby’s vision, it is always safe to check with your doctor. If identified and diagnosed early, many eye problems that babies encounter can be treated successfully and cured.
Article Sources: American Optometric Association, Babycentre.co.uk
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