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Many parents don’t realize that their infants, toddlers, and school-age children can be just as susceptible
to vision problems as adults. The major difference is that if these issues go untreated, their vision
may never develop normally (even with later treatments). For this reason it is imperative that parents
be aware of the warning signs that indicate ocular issues. Although you might think that a tendency
to run into things, misjudge distances, and topple over is natural at some stages of growth (and it is,
for most toddlers), it’s better to be safe than sorry. You should not only be aware of stages of visual
development in children, but have a good idea of what could be abnormal. So here are just a few signs
to look for if you fear that your child may develop vision problems.

To begin with, you should know that infants don’t see very well. They’re born without a fully developed
sense of sight that continues to mature over several months. Your child will likely see quite well at 3-
6 months of age, but their visual senses may take up to eight months to form fully. And over the next
few years it is imperative that they learn to interact with their environment through visual cues. If their
eyesight is somehow impaired during that time, it may never return to full strength. So it behooves you
to watch for certain markers that they’re suffering from vision loss.

And there are plenty of indicators that something is wrong. Cataracts, while relatively rare in children,
are by no means unheard of. Some babies are born with these milky spots on their eyes while others
develop them in early childhood. Either way, they must be treated immediately and the only real cure
is surgery. Luckily, children as young as several weeks old can safely undergo the surgery to remove
cataracts so that their vision is allowed to develop unimpeded.

Amblyopia (lazy eye) is one of the most common childhood vision problems and it is generally easy
to spot by the telltale discontinuity of the eyes (one eye turns inward or outward, or doesn’t seem
to track with the other eye). In this condition, one eye is weaker than the other, generally due to
underdeveloped pathways between the eye and the brain. Strabismus is a similar condition that
sometimes causes crossed eyes, but the reason is weak muscles surrounding the eye, in this case. Keep
in mind that many babies are born with crossed eyes simply because their muscles are not yet fully
functional. However, you should speak to your pediatrician if the condition doesn’t correct itself within
a few months. Both of these disorders are highly treatable and can often be corrected.

Of course, there are other vision problems that are more difficult to spot. Nearsightedness,
farsightedness, and astigmatism, for example, can be present from birth, but parents may not realize
it until many months or even years later. So arranging for an early eye exam (and regular check-ups)
is a good idea. Even young children can be good candidates for glasses and contact lenses, and your
ophthalmologist will let you know which treatments best suit your child. And if you have older kids,
keep in mind that there is a certain amount of vanity in the equation. So if getting them contact lenses
means they’ll have the ability to see in class, go ahead and try them.