Infant Eye Development
When Should Baby See an Optometrist?
Although it may take your baby a few moments to open her eyes in the delivery room, you will soon see her begin to use vision to explore the amazing world around her.
In the beginning days of life, the eyes may not seem to focus or even work together. It takes the average newborn a couple of months to learn to use the eyes correctly, just like any other developmental skill. The eyes slowly learn to work together as a team to provide information and stimulation critical to their overall development.
In order to interest your growing infant and strengthen development, you can provide a constantly changing environment so they are always engaged looking at the new things around them. For example, change sides often when feeding, bathing, or diapering them. Do this so they see you from a different perspective and this will help to use both eyes, not relying on just one or the other. During playtime, use highly patterned black and white objects at first. Color vision is a slower skill to develop.
It goes without saying that a child may fall behind the expected milestones and struggle unnecessarily if they don‘t have healthy eyes and good vision. It is important to uncover any deficiencies early and quickly treat any problems encountered.
Some of the more common early ocular problems include excessive tearing, red, crusty, matted eyes, and a constant eye turn lasting beyond the first few months.
Excessive tearing can be a result of underdeveloped tear ducts; this can often be treated using gentle massage over time. Occasionally the ducts still do not open in the first year and may require a procedure.
Red, crusty, or matted eyes sometimes referred to as “pinkeye” is an infection that can require antibiotics from your Optometrist. It is almost always contagious, so take care to prevent the spread to other family members and caregivers.
A lazy eye is the general term used for a constant turn caused by muscle weaknesses or from an excessive and unequal prescription in one of the eyes. This can put your child’s eye at risk for amblyopia, a condition caused by the lack of visual clarity. Sadly, this can limit your child’s balance, depth perception, and even career choices.
Less common but more concerning infant eye symptoms include an extreme sensitivity to indoor and outdoor light in conjunction with cloudy eyes and the appearance of a white pupil. The first are signs of congenital glaucoma and the second is a sign of a rare childhood tumor. If you see this in your infant, please seek a professional opinion immediately.
Be reassured that most babies are born with healthy eyes that will develop normally. Even if your baby is problem free, it is still recommended by the American Optometric Association (AOA) that your baby have her first eye examination around six to twelve months of age.
Under the InfantSEE program, participating Optometrists provide a comprehensive infant eye assessment between six to twelve months of age as a no-cost public service. At this initial exam, an assessment is made of the amount of nearsighted or farsightedness, the muscle alignment and the overall health of the eyes. If the assessment is normal, you will be recommended to return yearly.
As your child grows, please be sure to include comprehensive eye exams as part of her overall care to insure her future is bright and always in focus.