Clear vision is an essential part of healthy development. A baby’s vision continues to sharpen as they mature into childhood. Vision is a combination of the eyes, brain, and the nerves connecting them.
The vision is immature at birth and continues to develop as the child grows. If the child is not responding correctly to their environment, it may be due to vision problems. Learn about visual development milestones—what is normal and when to seek help.
Vision System Development
Vision development begins before birth and continues throughout childhood. Good vision and healthy eyes are essential components for the successful achievement of important milestones.
The ability to see and interpret visual information is vital for understanding the environment. Developmental milestones begin in infancy and largely depend on strong visual skills.
Visual Development Milestones
Every child is unique, and some children reach milestones earlier or later than others. There is a basic guideline that parents can use to determine if their child is having vision problems.
Birth to One Month
- Uncoordinated eye movements.
- The child blinks in response to bright lighting.
- The child stares at faces or light.
- Can stare at objects eight to ten inches away.
- Begins to follow or track moving objects.
One to Two Months
- Stares at black and white images and faces.
- Clear vision for objects ten to 12 inches away.
- Looks closely at the parents.
- Follows objects up to 90 degrees.
- Tears begin to form.
Two to Three Months
- Follows light, faces, and objects.
- Examines their hands.
- Starts to notice familiar items 12 inches away.
Four to Five Months
- Recognized objects such as a toy, pacifier, or bottle.
- Begins to reach for objects nearby.
- Will look at themselves in a mirror.
Five to Seven Months
- Full-color vision develops.
- Prefers certain colors.
- Turns the head to view objects.
- Can see objects several feet away.
- Will touch their image on the mirror.
Seven to 12 Months
- Can see smaller objects.
- Develops independent eye movements.
- Will crawl to reach objects.
- Look at and follow fast-moving objects.
- Depth perception develops.
- Can play peek-a-boo.
12 to 18 Months
- Clear distance vision.
- Refined eye movements.
- Develops depth perception for objects two feet away.
- Recognized images of familiar things.
- Can recognize their image in a mirror.
- Will walk toward interesting items.
18 to 24 Months
- Develops fine-motor skills.
- Can focus on objects two feet away.
- Attempts to draw circles or straight lines.
- Can identify different body parts.
24 to 36 Months
- Improved close vision skills.
- Developed binocular vision.
- Ability to change focus from near to distant.
- Improved depth perception.
- Can recognize objects and shapes.
36 to 48 Months
- Has distance vision close to 20/20.
- Developed gross-motor coordination.
- Ability to recognize letters and complex visual shapes.
- Can name colors.
48 to 72 Months
- Knows the alphabet and some words.
- Can recognize letter orientation.
- Begins to read.
- Has matured depth perception.
- Has comfortable, clear, and single vision at all distances.
When to Seek Help
Skills such as accurate eye movements, binocular vision, and focusing ability are essential for observing, playing, learning, imitating, and more. If you are concerned about your child’s visual development, consult an eye doctor.
For more on visual development milestones, visit Berris Optical. Our office is in Rocky River, Ohio. Call 440-571-7100 to book an appointment today.
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=85&contentid=P01093#
https://www.optometrists.org/childrens-vision/guide-to-visual-development/guide-to-vision-development/
