{"id":1325,"date":"2020-05-04T18:38:54","date_gmt":"2020-05-04T18:38:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/wordpress\/?page_id=1325"},"modified":"2021-08-01T09:02:05","modified_gmt":"2021-08-01T09:02:05","slug":"guide-to-vision-development","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/guide-to-visual-development\/guide-to-vision-development\/","title":{"rendered":"Vision Development and Milestones"},"content":{"rendered":"

It is important to watch your baby’s development to ensure they reach their milestones.<\/h2>\n

A child\u2019s vision is a complex combination of the brain, the eyes and the vast array of nerves that connect them. At birth, this visual system is still immature and continues to develop throughout the child\u2019s early years.<\/p>\n

Clear vision is an integral part of a child\u2019s healthy development. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Healthy eyes and good vision are vital components that enable successful achievement of many important milestones. Learning \u201chow to see\u201d and being able to interpret visual information to understand what is going on in the environment, are both crucial factors in successfully reaching the development of the visual system.<\/p>\n

These developmental milestones begin in the infancy stage and are dependent on the strength of the visual skills. Visual skills, such as binocular vision, accurate eye movements, and the ability to change focus to see near and distant objects, are necessary for observing, imitating, learning, playing, and more.<\/p>\n

When does vision development begin?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Vision development begins in the womb and continues throughout childhood and adolescence.<\/p>\n

The development of a mature visual system is especially critical within the first six years of life.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first six years of life is considered the \u201cvulnerable period\u201d because it is a time when the child’s development is most vulnerable to the effects of the various threats to their eye health and vision. Any change in vision or ocular health can inhibit a child from developing the necessary visual skills<\/a>, and cause developmental delays.<\/p>\n

Vision milestones according to age<\/b><\/h2>\n

The following is a timeline of some of the key visual age-based milestones, to provide a basic guideline for parents to know what to expect throughout their child\u2019s development.<\/p>\n

It is important to remember that each child is unique and may reach certain milestones at different ages.<\/p>\n

Please note, this is ONLY a guideline, and should not be used to replace the consultation of an eye care professional.<\/em><\/p>\n

Birth to 1 month<\/b><\/h3>\n