From the moment of birth, a baby’s eyesight and vision development is constantly changing and evolving. Baby vision developmental milestones happen in stages and it can be important to know what these milestones are in order to ensure that your child is reaching them on time. Knowing what babies can see at 20 weeks old can help parents support their child’s ocular health as they grow.
Overview of Baby Vision Development
Babies have poor vision during their first few months of life, but begin to develop their visual skills very quickly afterwards. During this early stage of vision development, babies will slowly learn how to focus and track objects with their eyes. By 6-9 months of age, most babies will have reached all the major vision developmental milestones, including being able to recognize familiar faces from across a room and having full color perception.
It is not uncommon for some children to experience difficulty developing their vision normally. If you believe that your child may not be meeting his or her expected visual milestones, it is important to talk to your pediatrician or optometrist right away.
Baby Vision Milestones at 20 Weeks Old
At 20 weeks old, your baby should be able to do the following:
- Focus on close objects up to 8-12 inches away
- Track moving objects horizontally
- Follow light sources around the room
- Distinguish between different colors
If your baby has not yet achieved any of these visual milestones, speak with your healthcare provider about possible interventions and treatments.
How to Support Baby’s Vision Development at Home
There are many ways that you can help support your baby’s vision development at home. Here are some tips:
- Place stimulating objects (toys, photos, etc.) within arms reach so that your baby can explore them using his/her eyes.
- Engage in “peekaboo” games and other activities that require your baby to watch an object or person move around the room.
- Spend time outdoors and expose your baby to natural light which can promote healthy eye growth.
- Offer plenty of opportunities for tummy time, which helps strengthen the muscles used for tracking and focusing on objects.
Signs You Should Speak With a Healthcare Provider About Baby’s Vision
Sometimes babies have trouble seeing properly due to issues like crossed eyes or lazy eye syndrome. In such cases, seeking medical intervention is often necessary in order to prevent further complications with their vision later in life. Be sure to look out for signs such as constant squinting, persistent tearing, redness or crusting in the corners of their eyes, sensitivity to bright lights, failure to make normal eye contact and any unusual head positions when trying to focus on an object. If you notice any of these signs, contact your doctor immediately for advice.
Types of Ocular Tests Used To Check On Baby’s Eyesight
To check on a baby’s eyesight, doctors may use several different types of tests. These include retinoscopy, ophthalmoscopy, refraction testing and tonometry. Retinoscopy involves shining a light into the eye while checking its reaction with various lenses; ophthalmoscopy looks at the interior structures of the eye; refraction testing measures how well the eyes can focus on near and far objects; and tonometry checks intraocular pressure levels inside the eyeball. Depending on your baby’s age, condition and symptoms, he or she may need one or more of these tests in order to receive an accurate diagnosis.
Importance Of Adequate Vitamin A Intake For Eye Health In Babies
Vitamin A is essential for proper eye health and development in babies and toddlers. It plays an important role in maintaining healthy corneas and helping to protect against night blindness. Eating foods rich in vitamin A such as sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, kale, broccoli and eggs is beneficial for promoting optimal infantile vision health. If necessary, you can also supplement with over-the-counter vitamins and minerals if recommended by your pediatrician.
Are Specialty Glasses Or Contact Lenses Needed For Infant Eye Problems?
In certain cases, specialty glasses or contact lenses may be needed to correct eye problems that are present since birth or develop shortly after birth. This type of treatment is usually reserved for infants who suffer from strabismus (cross-eyed), amblyopia (lazy eye) or cataracts. An experienced optometrist will be able to assess whether this kind of corrective eyewear would be suitable for your child’s particular needs.
Tips For Preventing Infantile Strabismus (Cross-eyed)
Infantile strabismus is a common childhood eye condition where one eye appears turned inward or outward compared to the other. While there is no definite way to prevent it from occurring, here are some tips that can reduce the risk:
- Make sure both eyes get equal amounts of stimulation – encourage your baby to look back and forth between two people talking instead of just one person.
- Encourage outdoor playtime – sunlight helps stimulate normal vision development.
- Limit exposure to screens – excessive screen time can interfere with healthy vision development in babies.
Warning Signs Of Potential Eye Problems In Infants And Toddlers
The sooner any potential eye problems are identified in infants and toddlers, the better chance they have at achieving healthy vision long term. Parents should look out for signs such as extreme sensitivity to light, frequent rubbing of the eyes, turning or tilting of the head when looking at things, persistent tearing or redness in the eyes and inability to focus on distant objects. If you spot any of these warning signs, consult with your healthcare provider right away.
Conclusion: Supporting Your Baby’s Optimal Vision Health
Baby vision development starts from birth and evolves rapidly until around 6-9 months old when they achieve all their major visual milestones. At 20 weeks old, babies should already be able to focus on close objects, track moving items horizontally and distinguish between different colors. Parents can support their baby’s vision development by providing plenty of stimulating objects within arm’s reach, engaging in peekaboo games, spending time outside and offering regular tummy time. It is also important to pay attention to warning signs that could indicate potential ocular health problems and speak with a doctor if necessary. Lastly, adequate intake of vitamin A can go a long way towards supporting healthy vision development in babies.