When we are born, our vision goes through many changes and, over time, the visual system gradually develops.
During the first days of life we can only distinguish shadows and we are very sensitive to light. Central vision is poor and peripheral vision is of better quality, because the retinas are still developing.
When the newborn is awake, they stay very alert and take in images, sounds, smells and tactile sensations from the new world around them. Below we detail how a baby’s vision develops month by month.
How a baby’s vision develops
- 2 weeks old: the baby can see light and dark patterns. Bright colors and large shapes begin to attract their attention, and they start to focus on an object placed right in front of them.
- 4 weeks: they can briefly focus their gaze on the mother’s and father’s face, although they still prefer very brightly colored objects at a distance of up to 1 meter.
- 2 to 4 months: the baby’s eyes still do not work together perfectly, so one eye may appear to drift. This usually resolves on its own over time; if it does not, take your baby to the ophthalmologist to rule out strabismus.
- 3 months: visual coordination improves, especially when playing with nearby moving objects, and color recognition gets better.
- 4 months: the eyes should now work together, developing binocular vision.
- 5 months: the baby can estimate how far away an object is. This means depth perception has fully developed and they now see the world in three dimensions. At this stage they recognize their parents’ faces from a distance and smile at them, and begin to identify and remember objects.
- 6 months: the eye color begins to become defined.
- 8 months: the baby now crawls and their hand-eye coordination improves.
- 9 months: they judge distances quite well and try to stand up. They begin to grasp and catch objects with more confidence.
- 12 months: the visual system should be almost fully developed.
Every baby develops at their own pace
Each child’s vision develops at its own pace. That is why it is very important for an ophthalmologist to examine a newborn’s eyes, again at 6 months and at the first year of life, and to continue with periodic evaluations afterward. Unfortunately, not all children develop their vision to its full potential, so they sometimes need our help to prevent and correct certain visual conditions. If you feel your child is not seeing well, take them to the ophthalmologist.
As your child grows, it helps to understand the importance of an eye exam for children. Early detection is key so that your baby develops healthy vision.
Care for your baby’s vision in Roatán
At our clinic in Roatán we perform eye exams for babies and children, and we offer a wide range of eye care services. Book your child’s appointment today at Dr. Reichmann’s clinic and be part of every stage of their visual development.