Vision Development (Vision-Screening)

Overall, by 12 months a child’s vision capability approximates that of adult vision, except for slightly decreased acuity.

• Newborn 20:400
• 4 years 20:40
• 5 years 20:30 or better
• 6 years 20:20

Focusing ability

• a newborn infant can fixate; visual tracking with a focal length (the distance at which objects are most clear) of 8 to 12 in is present in the newborn.
• under 2 mos old: can focus near/far, but not very accurately
• accurate focus by 2-3 mos of age

Pupillary Reaction

• Newborn: Pupillary reactions are rapid to strong light, not responsive to weak like
• 6 mos: Pupillary reaction to strong AND weak light present

Coordination and Tracking

• newborn: responds to visual threats by blinking
• Horizontal visual tracking: 30 degrees at birth, 120 degrees at 4 weeks of age, 180 degrees in the 2- 2.5 m/o infant
• under 3 mos: jerky tracking of large, slow moving objects
• over 3 mos: smooth tracking
• 4 mos: follow moving objects and reach for things; circular tracking of an object suspended through 360 degrees demonstrates smooth pursuit movements (no saccades)

Depth

• ability to judge what object is nearer or farther
• depth perception not present at birth
• 3-5 mos: can now for a 3D view of the world

Color

• 2-6 wks: can distinguish between highly contrasting colors
• 3-4 months: some babies can tell the difference between colors, especially red and green.

Object and face

• at birth can see facial features at arms length but is attracted to high contrast borders, ie.e hairline or edge of face; indifference to faces, specifically, is characteristic of the newborn
• 6 weeks: reciprocal social smile
• 2-3 mos:notices facial features, like nose, mouth
• 4 mos: spontaneous social smile
• 3-5 mos: distinguish mother vs stranger face

Source:

1. Infant Vision Lab, The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center. Milestones in Visual Development University of Massachusetts Medical School. 08 Jun 2007.
2. AAP Prep
CHLA 2005 Board Review