Vision Overview

When an infant first emerges into the world, 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

• More than one in 20 million preschoolers have vision problems of a type that can lead to vision loss if not treated.

• More than 12.1 million, or one in four, 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