Infant Vision
American Optometric Association - Infant Vision: Birth to 24 Months of Age
American Academy of Ophthalmology - Vision Development: Newborn to 12 Months
“Mom, my color vision isn’t fully developed yet!”
Did you know babies learn to see?
Newborns are born with very poor vision and can’t see colors. It is not uncommon for infants less than 3 months to have an intermittent strabismus (eye crossing) and nystagmus (eye shaking). This is because their retina, the part of the eye that processes light, is still underdeveloped and takes several months to mature.
By three months, babies should be able to reliably look and follow objects. Any strabismus or nystagmus should be resolved by this time.
By five months, babies should have improved depth perception and better color vision. They should start to look at objects and attempt to grasp them.
However, there are ocular conditions that can interfere with this process. If there is something blocking light into the eye, such as from a cataract (cloudy lens) or ptosis (droopy eyelid), this can cause amblyopia, or poor vision from problems with visual development. Amblyopia can also occur if your child has a very blurry vision and needs glasses in order to properly focus light onto the retina. This can occur in one or both eyes. Additionally, a strabismus (eye crossing inward or outward) can also cause amblyopia because the brain will “shut off” the eye turning to avoid double vision.
It is important to have a comprehensive eye examination with a pediatric optometrist or ophthalmologist to make sure your child’s vision is developing normally. Generally, the sooner an ocular condition is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome. Your pediatrician will screen your child’s vision and place a referral if there is a concern, however, if there is a strong family history of glasses wear, amblyopia, strabismus, ocular disease or remarkable medical history (born premature, Down syndrome, etc) then I suggest scheduling an eye examination at around 6 months of age.
Strabismus in a newborn
4 week old infant with an exotropia (outward eye turn). This is normal and resolved without intervention by 12 weeks of age.
