Healthy vision for kids

Children's vision develops rapidly in the early years of life, starting from a blurred view of the world and gradually sharpening as they grow. While it can be challenging to detect vision problems in young children, there are key milestones that can help you assess whether their eyesight is developing as expected. It's important to remember that if your child isn't hitting these milestones, it doesn't necessarily indicate a vision problem. Every child develops at their own pace, and some may simply experience developmental delays. If you have any concerns, it's always a good idea to discuss them with your pediatrician. 

Vision Milestones 

Here is what you can expect from your child’s vision at certain ages:  

At birth:  

• Poor eyesight 

• Blinks in response to bright light or touching eye 

• Eyes are sometimes uncoordinated, may look cross-eyed 

• Able to stare at object if held 8 to 10 inches away 

• Initially fixes eyes on a face or light then begins to follow a moving object 

1 month: 

• Looks at faces and pictures with contrasting black and white images 

• Can follow an object up to 90 degrees 

• Watches parent closely 

• Tears begin to form 

2 to 3 months: 

• Begins to be able to see an object as one image 

• Looks at hands 

• Follows light, faces, and objects

4 to 5 months: 

• Beginning to reach hands to objects, may bat at hanging object with hands 

• Recognizes a bottle 

• Will look at themselves in a mirror 

5 to 7 months: 

• Has full color vision, and able to see at longer distances 

• Can pick up a toy that is dropped 

• Will turn head to see an object 

• Likes certain colors

7 to 11 months: 

• Can stare at small objects 

• Begins to have depth perception 

• Plays peek-a-boo

11 to 12 months: 

• Can watch objects that are moving fast 

12 to 14 months: 

• Able to place shapes in correct holes 

• Becomes interested in pictures 

• Recognizes familiar objects and pictures in books, and may point to some objects when asked, "Where is the ...?" 

• Points and gestures for objects and actions 

• Recognizes own face in mirror

18 to 24 months: 

• Able to focus on objects near and far 

• Scribbles with crayon or pencil, and may imitate drawing straight line or circle 

• Can point to body parts (nose, hair, and eyes) when asked

36 to 48 months: 

• Can copy shapes 

• Vision is nearing 20/20 

• Can names colors 

48 to 72 months (4 to 6 years): 

• Recognizes and recites the alphabet 

• Ready to begin reading 

• Has complete depth perception 

• Uses scissors 

• Can name coins and money 

Signs that your child may have a vision problem 

• Babies older than 3 months who don't make eye contact or have eyes that look different ways—a pediatrician should check these babies (this may also be a sign of blindness, intellectual disability, neurological problems, or autism, as well as eye problems) 

• Babies who don't watch a favorite object (like a pacifier) if you move it to the side 

• Children who tilt their heads to see things 

• Children, including older children, who squint (a school-age child who squints to see the blackboard may be nearsighted) 

If you see any of these behaviors, or if you have any other concerns about your child's vision, contact your pediatrician right away for an evaluation.  

When should children receive vision screenings?  

• A pediatrician or healthcare provider should check a newborn's eyes to make sure they are healthy. (An ophthalmologist or optometrist should look at all newborns at risk of developing serious vision problems in childhood. They should also check those with developmental delays.) Not all visual problems are because of abnormal focus. Babies may be born with cataracts, cloudy corneas, or other problems that affect vision. 

• A healthcare provider should check the eyes of children between 6 months and 1 year of age. 

• A healthcare provider should do a vision screening between ages 3 and 3 ½ years. The focus should be on checking visual acuity. A formal test of visual acuity should be done by age 5. 

• For children ages 6 to 17, a vision screening should happen before first grade. Then they should check every year after that. 

If you have concerns about your child’s eyesight, reach out to the Children’s Hospital New Orleans’ Eye Care Team:  https://www.chnola.org/services/eye-care/