Babies' Eyes

The best way to protect your baby's eyes is through regular professional examinations. Certain infectious, congenital, or hereditary eye diseases may be present at birth or develop shortly thereafter. Yet, when treated early, their impact can be greatly minimized.

So have your baby's eyes examined—by a licensed eye doctor—before six months of age (or sooner if recommended by your pediatrician) and regularly throughout their life. It is your gift to their vision.

Prepare for your baby's appointment

Chances are your pediatrician will examine your baby’s eyes in one of your first few visits.  The pediatrician will review your baby's health and family health history. Prepare for your baby's appointment with our handy checklist designed to gather this needed information.  Be sure to tell the pediatrician about any eye health issues in your family, as many of these can be inherited.  

Testing your baby’s eyesight

The pediatrician may use toys and lights to test your baby’s eyesight to determine your baby's ability to focus, recognize colors and perceive depth or dimension.

• Alignment Using toys that make noises (or are otherwise intriguing) the pediatrician will cover and quickly uncover each eye to test for a dominant eye
• Ability to fixate Your pediatrician will move an object in front of your baby’s eyes to see if the eyes can watch and follow the object.
• Coordination of eye muscles The pediatrician will move a light or some interesting toys in a set pattern to test your baby's ability to see sharply and clearly at near and far distances.
• Pupil response to light The pediatrician will shine a small light (a penlight, for example) in your baby's eye and watch the pupil's reaction. The pupil normally would get smaller very quickly in response to light.
• Eyelid health and function The pediatrician will examine each eyelid to be sure it is functioning normally.  This includes a check for drooping eyelid, inflammation, and any other indications that your baby’s eyes need greater attention.

If your pediatrician sees anything amiss, you will be advised to make an appointment with a licensed eye doctor who will perform a comprehensive evaluation of your baby’s eyes.

A comprehensive eye exam includes:

Babies should have their first comprehensive eye exam by a licensed eye doctor at six months.  A licensed eye doctor performs additional tests that the pediatrician does not.  This is essential if there are any major vision issues that run in your family, as they may have been passed down.   

Your eye doctor will conduct some of the same tests you saw in your pediatrician’s office, but with some important additions:

• Vision correction The eye doctor will use a few eye drops to help your baby’s pupils dilate, creating a better window to the back of your baby’s eyes.  The dilation allows your doctor to check for nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.  The drops take about 45 minutes to work, and will blur your baby’s vision and cause a little light sensitivity for a few hours. Using a retinoscope, the doctor will move the light to see it reflected in the pupil.  The shape of the reflection helps the doctor see if your baby has any vision issues that require correction.
• The interior and back of the eye After dilating your baby's eyes and dimming the lights, the doctor will use a special instrument called an ophthalmoscope to see through to the retina and optic nerve at the back of the eye. This is where clues to many eye diseases first show up.
• Tests for a specific issue Be sure to discuss any other concerns you have about your baby’s eyes such as crossed eyes and nystagmus, your doctor will do the appropriate tests and advise you on the action required.

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