Your Baby's Vision
Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic
Edward H. Titmus, Jr. Center for Sight | 11618 Busy Street | Richmond, VA 23236
(804) 423-2020 | toll-free (888) 790-2020 | fax (804) 423-5409
www.TheEyeSite.org
Washington Area Office | 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 700 | Alexandria, VA 22314
Star Pupils is the children's vision campaign of
Help Your Baby's Eyes
1 month
Hold and feed your infant from alternating sides to promote adequate visual development of both eyes. Place your baby in his or her crib from different directions. Also, periodically change the location of the crib so the infant can see the world from different viewpoints. Hang a mobile off to the side so that your baby can see it through the slats of the crib. Change the position of the mobile every other day.
2 months
Encourage your baby to explore with his or her hands. Touching different textures, sizes, weights and forms will help your baby learn. Place a lightweight rattle in your baby’s hands and help him or her shake it.
6 months
Play “peek-a-boo” to develop visual memory. Move the crib mobile close enough so that your baby can reach out and hit it. Tie bells on booties so your baby can learn about his or her body through sound and movement.
8 months
Talk to your baby often. This will help your baby relate what he or she sees to words. Place objects on a highchair tray that can be pushed off and dropped to the floor.
When to Take Your Baby to the Eye Doctor
Most eye problems can be corrected if they are detected and treated early. Appropriate eye care is essential for maintaining good vision. Some problems, if left untreated - even for a short period - can result in permanent vision loss.
Newborns should have their eyes checked while still in the hospital nursery. During regular well-baby exams, from birth to 2 years of age, the doctor (pediatrician) should use family history and a vision evaluation to check for vision problems. At well-child exams starting at age 3 years through 10 years of age, vision screenings should be performed to test near and distance vision (using an eye chart or other visual acuity machine) and alignment of eyes.
If a child fails a vision screening, or there is any concern of an eye or vision problem, the child should be referred for a complete eye exam by an eye doctor. This combination of primary care doctor eye evaluations and vision screenings with referral for a complete eye exam by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist) are the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.
The American Optometric Association supports primary care doctor evaluations and regularly scheduled vision screenings. They also recommend that all children have a complete eye exam by an eye doctor at age 6 months, 3 years and 5 years.
Are Some Children More Likely Than Others to Have Vision Problems?
Yes. Your child’s doctor should be aware of the following factors that may make your child more likely to develop an eye problem:
- Your child was born prematurely.
- You have a family history of eye problems, such as childhood cataract, lazy eye, misaligned eyes or eye tumors.
- Your child has had an eye injury (problems resulting from childhood eye injuries may develop much later in life).
- Your child has been diagnosed with a problem that could affect his or her physical, mental, and/or emotional development.
If your child has any of these factors, take him or her to see an eye doctor.
Milestones for Your Baby's Visual Development
If a baby can’t see well it can affect his or her entire development. Look for these milestones in your infant’s visual development:
5 weeks
Does your baby intermittently follow an object with his or her eyes?
3 months
Does your baby hold and sustain direct eye contact with you?
4 months
Does your baby turn his or her eyes together to locate near objects?
Call your child’s doctor if you notice a delay in any of the developmental milestones listed above.
Signs of Possible Eye Trouble
- Eyelids are red-rimmed, crusted or swollen
- Eyes are watery or red (inflamed)
- Rubs eyes a lot
- Closes or covers one eye
- Tilts head to one side or holds head in funny positions to see
- Blinks more than usual
- Squints eyes
- The red glow in eyes that appears in pictures is not the same in both eyes, or is white or yellow in one eye
- Bumps into things in his or her visual field; does not seem to use sense of vision
Remember, even if your child doesn't show any of these signs he or she could still have a vision problem. Follow the recommendations above or from your pediatrician and make sure your child receives proper vision care.
Treatment of Children's Eye Problems
- Eyeglasses can correct near or distance vision problems.
- Medication such as eyedrops or ointments may be used to treat infections and other eye diseases including allergies.
- Patching of one eye and/or the use of eye drops is common in the treatment of amblyopia (lazy eye).
- Surgery may be needed to remove a lens with a cataract or to reduce pressure inside the eye for glaucoma. Surgery can also correct a crossed or misaligned eye.
- Eye exercises (orthoptics) can help eyes work together better.
- Many infants have a problem with their tear ducts and require treatment if it persists past a few months of age.
