Infant eye developmentUnderstanding a little about the changes in your baby’s eyes during their first year will help you recognize what’s normal and what may be a sign of a problem. When a baby is born, their vision is not that sharp. A newborn is sensitive to bright light, and their main focus is on close objects about 10 inches away from their face. A newborn baby also does not have the eye muscle strength to track objects well. During their first month, your baby’s eyes may appear crossed. That’s because their eyes are not yet well coordinated. In the first month, your baby’s eyes cannot easily find the object that they are trying to look at. This causes the eyes to look in different directions. But in a few months, you should notice your baby is able to track objects with their eyes. Typically, by about five or six-months, your baby’s depth perception improves. It is also thought that color vision also improves around this time. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, baby’s permanent eye color usually is apparent by about their first birthday. Should your baby’s eyes be checked?Your pediatrician will check your little one’s eyes at your well-baby appointments and check for proper development. If the doctor notices anything that may be a red flag or requires further attention, you will likely be given a referral to see a pediatric ophthalmologist. If you notice anything in between appointments or something the doctor may have missed, contact your pediatrician to have things checked out. Signs to watch forLike many new parents, you might wonder what is normal and what indicates a problem when it comes to your baby’s well-being.
Below are several signs your baby may have an eye issue that should be evaluated. One eye that turns inward or outward: Although your baby may look crossed eyed at times during the first month, if you continue to notice one eye that turns out or in, talk to your doctor. Tilting the head to one side: Head tilting or turning to one side can indicate a problem with eye muscle control and should be discussed with the doctor. Excessive tearing: It’s normal for babies to produce some tears when they cry. But if your baby experiences excessive tearing, it could be due to a blocked tear duct. Inability to track objects with the eyes by about three months: Babies develop at different speeds. But if your baby’s eyes are not working together to track an object by about three months, it’s best to talk to your doctor to rule out a visual coordination problem. Extreme sensitivity to light: When babies are born, they are usually sensitive to bright light. But after a month or two, if your baby is extremely sensitive to light, it could be a sign of elevated eye pressure. Red eyelids: Red eyelids, especially if the eyelids are crusted, can be a sign of an infection. Although most of the signs above can also be nothing to worry about, it’s always best to talk with your child’s doctor to be on the safe side. If you have any questions about eye problems in adults or children of any age or would like to discuss whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would currently be appropriate, give our office a call at 508-746-8600. Comments are closed.
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