A brief guide to your child’s eye health

Babies

The eyes are more sensitive to darker colors and black and white patterns / shapes;

Color vision improves significantly during the first 3 months after birth;

They can only focus after a few months.

Note: If the baby has a white reflex / glare in the eyes (which you can see in the photos), it may indicate a certain eye problem and therefore it would be good to visit an ophthalmologist. While the red glow in the photos is a sign of a healthy eye.

6 months +

The eyes should be fully formed and developed;

They can estimate depth and 3D shapes, but they can’t tell you – which is normal;

In rare cases, it is possible to wear glasses after 1 year. Up to 1 year there is time to stabilize the eye muscles, and if after 1 year they are not stabilized, an eye examination is done to prescribe glasses.

Note: After a few months, your baby’s eyes should be able to follow you as they move around in the room you are in. You can do a quick check – cover one eye and then the other. If your baby does not want one eye to be covered over the other for a long time, it may indicate a problem.

4 years +

In kindergartens, eye screening is usually done at the age of 3 to 5 years. If such a screening has not been done and you are concerned, it would be a good idea to take your child to an ophthalmologist;

If the child has a lazy eye (amblyopia), the treatment is most successful up to 7 years of age. However, the possibility of continuing treatment until the age of 12 is not ruled out;

Myopia nowadays usually starts between 6 and 13 years, i.e. during intensive growth in children.

Be careful: Strabismus or lazy eye are common conditions and may not even be noticed in a child (especially a lazy eye).

Teenagers

The eyes continue to grow and develop, so watch your child’s vision on a daily basis;

Complaints of headaches or a feeling of tired eyes after school may indicate an eye problem;

Many teens are short-sighted.

Note: Children who play sports, wear glasses, may wear contact lenses, but still, must maintain regular hygiene for them.

Possible eye problem?

Pay attention to these signs in your child, as they may indicate an eye problem:

• Frequent rubbing of the eyes (especially when tired);
• Often wet eyes;
• Sitting too close to the TV or holding books / objects close to their face;
• Show signs of clumsiness or have poor hand-eye coordination;
• Complain of blurred or double vision and unexplained headaches;
• They roll their eyes up or close one eye when reading or watching television;
• Avoid reading, writing or drawing;
• They close one eye when they go outside in bright light.

If you are concerned about your child’s eye health, get an eye exam. The earlier problems are detected, the better and more effectively they can be treated.