Your baby's ability to move his eyes and focus on objects improves as he gets older. However, improper eye development, cataracts and prematurity can place your baby at risk for eye problems. If you know what to expect from his eye movements as he grows, you can spot eye movement problems easily.
Birth to 3 Months
Shortly after birth, a doctor will check your baby's eyes for neonatal eye problems. Your baby will not be able to focus very well, and All About Vision states that her eyes may drift in and out of proper alignment. It is normal for this to happen occasionally. Before long, your baby will start to look around with interest.
4 to 6 Months
Around 3 months of age, your baby's eyes will begin to move better as a team. He will be able to follow moving objects and shift his gaze from one thing to another without moving his head. By 6 months, he will be able to move his eyes faster and accurately follow objects. His hand-eye coordination will help him be able to reach for things and put them in his mouth.
7 to 12 Months
Between 7 and 12 months of age, your baby learns to coordinate her vision with the rest of her body as she becomes mobile. If you notice that your baby turns her eyes away instead of focusing on you or a toy, it is not necessarily a cause for concern. She may just be overstimulated and ready to play with something else.
Eye Stimulation
To help stimulate your baby's vision and encourage his eye movements, surround him with bright colors and contrasting shapes. Hang a mobile over his crib for him to look at, and move objects in front of his face that he can practice tracking with his eyes.
Movement Problems
Your baby's doctor will likely check her eyes for structure and alignment at checkups. If you are concerned about your baby's eye movements or observe constant misalignment, talk to her doctor. She may need to see an eye specialist. Strabismus is a type of misalignment that needs to be detected and treated early, because it can lead to a lazy eye if left untreated. If your baby experiences involuntary movement of her eyes, also known as nystagmus, you may observe her eyes drifting slowly in one direction and then jumping back. This condition may require glasses, contact lenses or surgery to fix.
