Eye Development

 

Ok I am pretty sure everyone knows that a baby is able to see as soon as it’s born and you may know that vision isn’t fully developed but continues to develop gradually over the next few months.

Before birth as early as 22 days of conception two shallow dips develop in the embryo, as the pregnancy progresses the eyes will form as the sight of these dips.

The progression is controlled by a series of genes, if any of these genes are abnormal, they eyes may not develop properly. There are conflicting thoughts about what other things may cause the eyes to not develop things like the mother being exposed to viruses, insecticides, radiation and environment pollution may cause deformed eyes, very small eyes or not having eyes at all.

At birth the structures are fully formed but the nerves that carry signals from the eye to the brain are not, light enters the eye so the baby can see but cannot make sense of what it sees.

A newborn can detect bright colours and big patterns and can focus on things 20-30cm’s away. Within a week they can distinguish their mother’s face.

By the time they are 3 months old they are able to focus on things around them and follow things with both eyes. They now blink when something is pushed towards their face, and their colour awareness has increased. Also, at this time their hand/eye coordination is starting to develop and will reach for things that attracts their attention.

By the age of 6 months most babies are starting to see as adults see, they can spot small objects and can accurately track movements up and down, side to side, backwards and forward. Their colour vision is fully developed.

By the time they are 1yr old the sense of sight is fully developed.

It is important to check a baby’s sight is developing properly as the sooner a problem is detected the sooner is can be tended to.  The first check should be at birth then at 6mths of age, the doctor is checking that both eyes are working together and that the baby isn’t near or far sighted.