Vision Quest: Your Baby's Eyes

Goals Are in Sight

Six months of age is a benchmark. By now, some experts say, your child can discern subtle differences in pastels and judge distances with some accuracy. He'll attempt to pull himself up (now's the time to take down that mobile) and crawl, both of which require good vision. If there's a small, intriguing toy a few feet away, he'll try to reach it any way he can.

This is also when your little one will start turning on the waterworks. From birth, babies produce a small amount of tears for the purpose of keeping their eyes moisturized. Between 7 to 8 months and a year, though, your child will also make tears when he gets angry or upset enough to cry.

As your child's first birthday nears, he'll become increasingly attentive to objects placed in front of him. At every well-child visit, your doctor should examine your child's eyes. If she suspects a problem, she'll refer you to an ophthalmologist. By focusing on the health of your child's eyes, you'll ensure a bright future for him. That's something you can both look forward to.

Early Eyewear

Have you ever seen a baby wearing a pair of specs and wondered why? According to Jay Bernstein, M.D., a pediatric ophthalmologist in Cedar Knolls, New Jersey, specialists prescribe glasses for infants to correct a lazy or wandering eye, or to help ensure normal vision development if they think it might be headed off course. To assess a baby's vision, an ophthalmologist uses eye drops and a retinoscope, an instrument that examines the refraction of light in each eye.

Most babies who require glasses before the age of 2 outgrow them. In fact, many types of vision problems in infants can be corrected if diagnosed early enough. If one eye is intermittently or permanently crossed, or if you notice anything else that seems amiss (such as chronic discharge on the lashes or excessive tearing), call your pediatrician promptly.

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