Even though infants cannot tell you there's a problem, if an infant's eyes are tearing, red, crossed or itching, it's clear to many parents that something is wrong. If at any time you suspect a problem, contact your infant's pediatrician who will either be able to treat the condition in the office or refer you to an eye specialist.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, or pinkeye, occurs when the lining of the eye becomes inflamed, which can be caused by a bacterial infection, a virus or allergies. According to MayoClinic.com, pinkeye causes inflammation and a reddened appearance because small blood vessels become more prominent. Additional symptoms of pinkeye include itching, tearing and discharge which develops into a crust as your baby sleeps. Pinkeye is very contagious when caused by a virus or bacterial infection, so keep your child out of daycare if he is infected or other children are infected. Regardless of which type of pinkeye your infant has, be sure to wash your hands and your baby's hands frequently.
Misalignment
Strabismus occurs when the eye muscles fail to work together and are misaligned, which many be constant or intermittent. It's not uncommon for a newborn's eyes to cross and appear unfocused, but this usually corrects itself by the time the baby is four months old. If after four months, the baby is still having problems focusing the eyes or keeping them straight, this could be strabismus. According to Prevent Blindness America, only 2 percent of children in the United States have strabismus and half of those are born with it.
Strabismus will not disappear on its own and is not something children outgrow. If left untreated, your infant could develop amblyopia, or lazy eye, which causes vision loss in an eye that appears healthy.
Tear Ducts
A blocked tear duct is a temporary and common condition for infants, which occurs when the nasolacrimal duct becomes blocked so tears are unable to drain from the eye to the nasal cavity. According to Children's Hospital Boston, blocked tear ducts occur in 20 percent of newborns and can occur because the ducts are not fully open at birth. As the infant grows, the duct normally opens on its own. If an infant has a blocked tear duct, it may look like your baby is crying when he is not. In most cases no treatment is necessary, but a doctor may prescribe an eye ointment to provide relief. In more severe cases, surgery may be needed.
Cataracts
According to the American Optometric Association, although cataracts usually occur in people over the age of 50, cataracts can occasionally occur in infants. With cataracts, cloudiness on the lens will keep light from passing through. In severe cases, the cataract can be removed by surgery. Many of the symptoms associated with cataracts obviously would be impossible for an infant to inform you of, such as blurry vision, reduced intensity of colors and difficulty with night vision.
Exam
According to the American Optometric Association, even if your infant has no apparent eye problems, schedule an eye exam between 6 and 12 months since the earlier you catch an eye problem, the higher the chance of it being resolved. The optometrist will test your infant's eye movements, eye health, and vision during an exam. If a problem is found, the optometrist will discuss with you the best course of action for your infant.
