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Eyes: Your baby's eyesDisclaimer: This fact sheet is for educational use only. Please consult your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child. Key points to remember
 Back to TopIntroductionLight enters the eye through the cornea, the clear outer skin or window at the front of the eye. It passes through the pupil, the hole in the iris or coloured part of the eye. Light rays are then focused on the retina at the back of the eye. Information about the light travels from the retina to the brain where the pictures are recognised and interpreted.
See the checklist below for some of the things you can look for in your baby’s first year.
Back to TopAt birth
Back to TopAt one month
Back to TopAt two months
Back to TopAt four months
Back to TopAt six months
Back to TopAt twelve months
Back to TopCommon eye problems in childrenStrabismus
Strabismus may be known as turned eyes, cross eyes, walleyes, squint, or lazy eyes. Strabismus occurs when the eyes point in different directions. When one eye is straight the other may point in, out, up or down. This may be noticeable all the time, or it may come and go. It may be present at birth or appear later. In babies and children with strabismus, the vision in the turned eye will not develop normally. Children do not outgrow strabismus. Treatment is most effective when commenced at an early age. Treatment is carried out by an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) and orthoptist.
The aims of strabismus treatment are:
Treatment of strabismus may include glasses, patching, exercises, or surgery and is usually a combination of these.
Amblyopia
Amblyopia occurs when one eye becomes lazy because it is not receiving as clear a picture as its fellow eye. The most common causes of amblyopia are strabismus, refractive error (incorrect focusing power), ptosis (droopy eyelid) and cataract (opacity in the lens). Vision can be improved in many cases of amblyopia when treatment is undertaken at an early age.
Epiphora
Epiphora or watering eyes may occur if the duct that drains tears from the eye to the nose becomes blocked. In many cases, blocked tear ducts get better by themselves, but if this doesn’t happen within 12 months, treatment in the form of a minor surgical procedure may be necessary. Blocked tear ducts are not the only cause of watering eyes so an eye examination is suggested.
Remember: occasionally, serious conditions can have signs and symptoms similar to those described above. For this reason children with suspected eye problems should be examined.
Back to TopSigns to watch forConsult your family doctor if you are concerned about your baby’s eyes, particularly if:
Back to TopRoutine screeningA full eye test is recommended for all infants and children when there is:
Back to TopWhere to go for more informationOn this website
Activities in under fives - eyes need to move too - ideas for newborns and infants
Back to TopAcknowledgementsStarship Foundation and the Paediatric Society of New Zealand acknowledge the co-operation of The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney Children's Hospital at Randwick, and Kaleidoscope - Hunter Children's Health Network in making this fact sheet available to patients and families.
Back to TopYour notesEndorsement
This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 07/03/2006
CopyrightFact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation. © The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2010
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