Vision Problems Signs and Symptoms
in Young Children

There are certain signs that parents can watch for that may indicate that your baby or toddler is having problems seeing. I've listed what I look for when working with children as flags for vision concerns. If you see one of these problems with your baby or toddler let your pediatrician know also.

Prematurity can cause vision problems. Preemie babies should be monitored by a pediatric ophthalmologist.

New born babies will often have weak eye muscles and their eyes will cross as they attempt to focus. This should resolve between the age 6-8 weeks.

• If your baby's eyes continue to cross for longer than 8 weeks or one eye continues to cross this could be a sign of possible vision problems.
• Your baby's eyes should not appear to wander or turn out.
• Babies who do not make eye contact by the age of 2-3 months might be having vision difficulties.
• If you notice your toddler constantly rubbing his eyes this could be a sign of him having problems focusing or having eye strain.
• Over sensitivity to light all the time.
• Tearing of eyes especially when doing close play like reading, stacking or coloring (fine motor activities).
• Rapidly blinking can be seen alone or with the constant eye rubbing.
• Your toddler looking out from the side of his eyes to focus.
• Toddler tilting his head to one side when trying to fix or focus on an object.
• Closing an eye in an attempt to focus on an object.
• Rapid or jerky eye movements when following a moving object.

• Babies 4 -6 months should be able to track a moving object side to side and up and down without moving their heads.
• Your baby(4-6 months) should be able to shift his vision from one object to another without jumpy eye movement.
• Holding toys or books close to his face or bending down to see when playing.
• Standing real close to the television or computer screen to see.
• A whitish or greyish color that covers the pupil on one or both eyes. Young children can have cataracts.
• Drooping eye lids can block vision. I see this more than your would think in children.
• Falls or trips more than other children his age.
• Miss judges distances and trips over curbs or bumps into walls.

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