Being a new parent can be a fulfilling but very overwhelming experience. Ensure your child is healthy and have their vision in mind. Eye problems affect not only adults—but infants can also be victims. Awareness of the early signs will help spot any issues before they worsen. Read on to learn more.

Eye Development in Infants

Eye development stages can vary from one infant to another during the first developing months. Thus, comparing infant skills may not be helpful. For example, your baby may start focusing on faces near them by eight weeks; on the other hand, some may not shift their vision or focus on objects easily at the same age. It must be clear that babies hit developmental milestones differently.

Early Vision Problem Signs in Infants

Vision and eye problems in infants are sometimes rare. Visual abilities in children develop gradually, often without complications. However, this does not mean it can never occur—your infant may develop vision problems. Hence, knowing the following early signs can help you seek help:

• Excessive tearing - Babies often produce tears while crying. However, they may have a blocked tear duct if the tearing is in excess.
• Red eyelids - Red or crusty eyelids could mean your infant has an eye infection.
• Turning their eyes to one side frequently.
• Extreme sensitivity to light - Babies often have sensitivity to bright light when born. But if they still experience light sensitivity after one or two months, they may have high eye pressure.
• Turning one eye outward or inward - Sometimes, your baby may appear crossed-eyed in the first month after birth. However, talk to your doctor if their eye continually turns in and out after the first month.
• Tilting head to one side - Turning or tilting the head to one side could mean your infant struggles with eye muscle control.

Treatments

Doctors will examine your child to determine the underlying cause of their vision problem to know the appropriate treatment. Sometimes, your child may need eye drops, eyeglasses, or even surgery. Eye exercises can also help.

Severe vision loss may need help from specialists like orthoptists, counselors, occupational therapists, or orientation and mobility specialists. Caregivers and parents can also try some activities at home to help with vision development.

Common Problems Optometrists Check

• Astigmatism.
• Refractive errors like farsightedness and nearsightedness.
• Drooping eyelid or ptosis.
• Eye alignment and movement.
• Cataracts.
• Prevention

It is vital to take the necessary steps to support vision development in your infant. Caregivers and parents should take their babies to eye screening and comprehensive testing to ensure their eye health is okay.

A pediatrician or doctor checks their general eye health after birth. The first vision screening entails the pediatrician inspecting the eyes, red reflex, and pupil.

Your infant’s pupil can appear red in photos due to a reflection in their eye called the red reflex. It should be equal and bright in both eyes. Your doctor will recommend taking your baby for another vision screening within the first year after the initial screening. It can also take place at any visit to the medical care provider. Your child may also get a referral for further testing if you notice that they have vision problem signs.

For more about vision problems in infants, visit Palo Alto Eyes Optometry at our Palo Alto, California office. Call (650) 321-2015 to schedule an appointment today.