Sometimes a child’s eyes don’t work together as they should. One eye may move separately from the other (strabismus). This is sometimes called a lazy eye. Then the brain receives a different image from each eye. The brain may switch between the two images. Or it may turn off one image. When this happens, the child stops using that eye (amblyopia). The eye may move or wander all the time. Or it may wander only when your child is tired, ill, or looking at nearby objects. It is normal for babies’ eyes to wander. But if one eye wanders after age 2 or 3 months, your child needs eye care. Treatment may include an eye patch, eye drops, glasses, or surgery.

Your child is nearsighted if objects that are far away look blurry. Your child is farsighted if close-up objects look blurry. Extreme farsightedness means that both near and far objects are fuzzy. If the front of your child’s eye has an abnormal curve (astigmatism), objects look blurry at all distances. These common childhood vision problems can often be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Vision problems can sometimes lead to amblyopia if they are not corrected.

Eye infections and injuries are common in children. Viral and bacterial infections spread quickly through classrooms and daycare centers. Children can also be hit in the eye. Or they can get dirt and other objects in their eyes. Eye infections and injuries need to be treated right away. Some can cause lasting damage to the eye.