Kids' vision and eye health guildlines

Your baby's vision

Every parent wants their baby to grow and develop normally and there are steps that you can take to ensure this, at least regarding vision development.  Sometimes one or both of a baby's eyes are not working properly and the problem is not noticeable to parents.   

Newborn babies have limited abilities to focus and fully coordinate their eyes.  They focus best at the distance of the mother's face when the baby is nursing.  The biggest improvements in a baby's vision come in the first eight months of life, and babies need lots of visual stimulation during this period to help develop connections between their eyes an their brain. 

What to watch for in your baby

If, by six months of age, you notice that one eye wanders all or part of the time, take your baby to an eye doctor for an eye examination.

If you notice that your baby has a head tilt, he ma have an eye muscle or neck muscle problem.

Some babies are born with blocked tear ducts.  Crusty material may collect in a blocked tear duct in the corner of the eye.  If you notice this in your baby, gently wipe the material away with a clean, warm cloth.  If the condition does not clear up by six months of age, take your baby to an eye doctor.

If you notice that your child has a white pupil or that it looks white in a photograph, see an eye doctor without delay. 

How prevalent are vision disorders in children?

One in five children has a vision disorder and the earlier the disorder is detected, the better able we are to treat it and the more limited the impact of the disorder on the child's social and intellectual development.  A regular eye exam is the key to catching problems before they do lasting damage.

Optometrists have special tests for babies to diagnose eye conditions, which allow babies to be examined before they can read or even speak.  It is recommended that you take your baby to the optometrist for her first eye examination at six months of age. 

Babies