Vision Overview
Vision Overview
When an infant is born, his or her eyesight is immature. While the infant can see the form of his or her mother and can tell the difference between light and dark, the ability to focus has not been developed. Monitoring your child's ability to see is an important part of the health of your growing child.
Facts about vision problems
Facts about vision problems include the following:
More than 1 in 20 preschoolers have vision problems of a type that can lead to vision loss if not treated.
More than 12.1 million, or 1 in 4 school-aged children have some type of vision problem.
Without proper screening, vision problems may not be noticed.
Risk factors for having problems with vision
The following are some of the risk factors that may increase your child's chances for having some problems with his or her vision:
Maternal infections while pregnant
Heart disease in the infant
Any problems with the actual structure of the eye that the child is born with
Family history of problems with vision
Hearing problems
Premature infant
Trauma to the eye
Updated:  
March 21, 2017
Reviewed By:  
Bogus, William J., OD, FAAO,Griggs, Paul B., MD