While your young infant isn't expected to have good eyesight right after birth, there are certain vision milestones that should be met. Since your child is too young to realize or articulate a vision problem, it is up to you, as a parent or caregiver, to know the signs of a vision problem. Here is more information about what is normal vision for young infants up to six months old and signs that there might be a problem.

Important Milestones

While all babies are different and reach these milestones differently, there are certain vision benchmarks that your baby should reach before they are six months old.

Between Birth and One Month

At this age, your child may not be able to focus well, but he or she should respond to light and movement. He or she should be able to focus on an object at about 10 inches away and notice faces, especially at the end of the first month.

Between One Month and Three Months

During this time, your baby's eyes are beginning to focus and work together. He or she will likely be able to follow faces and objects and reach toward them, though depth perception at this time is off, and they cannot perceive the difference between a faraway object and a close one.

Between Four Months and Six Months

By this time, your child should be able to focus on and perceive differences in distances between objects and be able to reach for and grasp them appropriately. Also, at this time, your baby should notice and respond to reflections in a mirror.

Signs of Possible Eye Problems

In addition to not meeting the milestones, there are some physical signs that indicate that your child is experiencing a vision problem. Examples of these problems include the following:

  • Eyes wandering in different directions or moving strangely after turning one month old
  • Bulging eyes
  • Excessive squinting
  • Different-sized pupils
  • Drooping eyelids or an eye that doesn't open
  • Pus or excessive crust in the eye

Your child should have a first eye exam at about six months of age. While your child will not be able to specifically express a vision problem, the pediatric eye doctor will be able to perform tests to make sure that your child's vision is progressing normally. Noticing problems early increases the chance that your child will grow up with the best vision possible. The doctor will determine whether or not your child has a serious problem that needs immediate correction. To learn more, contact a pediatric eye care center today.

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