![Child Vision Impairments](https://smb.ibsrv.net/imageresizer/image/blog_images/1200x1200/6276/289103/0512494001620741035.jpg)
In the first few months of life, infants can only see clearly objects that are 8 to 10 inches from their face. It isn’t until 12 to 16 weeks that their eyesight begins to improve, and they start seeing things more clearly from further away. Over the next year, children will develop depth perception, eye-body coordination, eye-hand coordination and the ability to judge distances. It is rare for children to have vision problems at this age.
Detecting Eye and Vision Problems in Children
Most of the time, vision problems are not obvious, and the best way to catch issues early is through vision screenings offered by your pediatrician. Sometimes, though, there are symptoms of eye problems such as infection, cataracts or other issues. Warning signs may include:
- Eye rubbing
- Tearing
- Swelling
- Redness
- Pus
- Crust
- Sensitivity to light
- Bulging or jiggly eyes
- Droopy eyelids
- White, yellow, or gray-white material in the pupil
If your child has any of these symptoms, or their eyes change in any way, or you are worried about their vision, don’t wait until they are 3-years old to get their first vision test. If you are concerned, it is always better to be on the safe side by visiting your pediatrician to have them checked.