Eye and vision problems are relatively uncommon in infants, as a child's ability to see typically develops gradually over time. However, persistent red eyes, excessive tearing, light sensitivity, or an eye turning inward or outward can signal an underlying issue. In the first two months, an infant's eyes may not coordinate well, occasionally appearing misaligned; if this misalignment persists, a medical examination is necessary. Several factors can cause vision problems in infants.

Congenital causes

Developmental or genetic disorders: A child's eyes may form abnormally during pregnancy or due to genetic factors such as retinitis pigmentosa, albinism, or cataracts.

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy: Heavy drinking can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome, causing developmental issues including blindness, vision loss, ptosis (drooping eyelids), nystagmus (involuntary eye movements), and changes in eyelid structure.

Infections during pregnancy: Infections such as TORCH (toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes) can cause inflammation and abnormalities in the eyes.

Medications and stimulants: The use of certain medications, cocaine, or anticonvulsants during pregnancy can lead to eye defects in infants. Research indicates that children exposed to these substances in the womb have a higher risk of hospitalization for eye conditions like strabismus or oculomotor disorders.

Postnatal causes

Children can also develop eye conditions after birth due to various reasons.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) occurs in extremely premature infants due to abnormal development of retinal blood vessels. The condition may resolve on its own or require surgery. Low birth weight and small gestational age are primary risk factors.

Neonatal conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva that appears within 28 days after birth, often caused by bacteria or a virus.

Amblyopia (lazy eye) occurs when one or both eyes do not develop normal vision early in life. This can be caused by refractive errors, cataracts, or ptosis.

Strabismus is a condition where the eye muscles do not coordinate. It can be genetic or linked to prematurity, retinoblastoma, cerebral palsy, or spina bifida.

Shaken baby syndrome, often resulting from abusive head trauma, can cause severe brain damage. Most cases involve retinal hemorrhage, which can lead to permanent vision loss.

Simple activities can support a child's visual development in the early years. During the 0-4 month stage, infants begin to track moving objects and gradually develop hand-eye coordination. Parents should regularly change the baby's position in the crib and place toys about 20-30 cm from their eyes to stimulate observation skills.

When the child is 5-8 months old, parents should encourage them to play with objects they can grasp or kick, allow plenty of floor time, and choose easy-to-hold toys to promote movement. At the 9-12 month stage, parents should name surrounding objects and actions, encourage crawling and moving, and play games like peek-a-boo to enhance observation skills. During the 1-2 year stage, children can practice rolling balls to train eye-tracking ability, play with building blocks, and listen to books being read or stories told to stimulate visual and cognitive development.

By Bao Bao (Source: Medical News Today)