As an eye care practitioner, it is my job to know what to look for in infant and toddler visual development. As a proud new parent, I thought it would be a good editorial to list the expected visual performances of infants and toddlers for parents.
Birth to six weeks:
• Stares at surroundings when awake
• Momentarily holds gaze on bright light or bright object
• Blinks at camera flash
• Eyes and head move together
• One eye may seem turned in at times
Eight to 24 weeks:
• Eyes move more widely with less head movement
• Eyes follow objects or people (eight to 12 weeks)
• Watches parents’ faces when being talked to (10 to 12 weeks)
• Begins to watch own hands (12 to 16 weeks)
• Eyes move in active inspection of surroundings (18 to 20 weeks)
• While sitting, looks at hands, food and bottle (18 to 24 weeks)
• Sitting and watching more distant objects (20 to 28 weeks)
30 to 48 weeks:
• May turn eyes inward to inspect toy or hands (28 to 32 weeks)
• Eyes are more mobile and move with little head movement (30 to 36 weeks)
• Watches activity around them for longer periods of time
• Looks for toy if dropped (32 to 38 weeks)
• Visually inspects toys he can hold (38 to 40 weeks)
• Visually responds to smiles and voices of others (40 to 48 weeks)
12 to 18 months:
• Using both hands and visually steering hand activity (12 to 24 months)
• Visually interested in simple pictures (14 to 16 months)
• Holds objects close to eyes to inspect (14 to 18 months)
• Points to objects or people using words “look” or “see” (14 to 18 months)
• Looks and identifies pictures in a book (16 to 18 months)
24 to 36 months
• Occasionally visually inspects without needing to touch (20 to 24 months)
• Smiles, facial brightening when views favorite object and people (20 to 24
months)
• Likes to watch movement of wheels or moving objects (24 to 28 months)
• Watches own hand while scribbling (26 to 30 months)
• Visually explores and steers own walking and climbing (30 to 36 months)
This list is not a substitute for regular visits to the pediatrician or eye doctor, and is in no way to be used as a diagnostic tool. If there are any questions about the development of your child, do not hesitate to contact your pediatrician or eye care specialist.
For more information, please call Dr. Joshua Corben at 661-259-2168 or visit www.corbenoptometry.com .