Infant vision development starts during pregnancy

The visual system begins to develop in utero at approximately the 22nd day of fetal life (Telang & Dweck, 1989). However, the first week of life, babies still aren't able to see much detail and it takes several months for your child's vision to develop fully (Heiting, 2017).

Fun Facts:

• Babies' eyes are comparatively large, reaching adult proportions at the age of two.

• The iris is slate gray because of the absence of stromal pigmentation; normal adult color develops fully by the end of the first year.

• The pupil reacts to light at birth, but it is sluggish.

• Blink to threat is not present until 2 to 5 months after full term birth.

• Tears are not present with crying until 1-3 months

• Visual acuity of a full term infant is approximately 20/400 at birth.

• Dolls eye movements (the eyes lagging behind the turning of the head from side to side) are normally present at 2-3 months of age when the child can fixate well.

• Eye movements are not well coordinated until 3 to 6 months of age.

• By 6 months old, the eyes should be well coordinated.

• 20/20 is normally achieved by 2 years of age.

• Myopia is uncommon in infants, but tends to appear between 6-9.

• Children tend to be slightly hyperopic because of the configuration of the eye until adolescence.

• The eye continues to develop visual synapses in the visual cortex until 10 years of age.