A baby is born with eyes but no vision. Vision begins to develop immediately after birth, and during the first 6 months, it undergoes rapid and significant development. This period is crucial, as the baby’s vision is most vulnerable to disruptions in normal development. Early detection of vision problems is the best way to ensure an infant’s vision stays healthy, supporting successful development now and in the future.

It is estimated that about 1 in 5 preschoolers have undiagnosed functional vision problems, and by the time they start school, 25% or more may struggle with learning, social interactions, mood regulation and sports activities.

For the vision development timeline, click vision development. If your child is diagnosed with developmental delays or has unexplained behavior or movement pattern, a thorough functional vision evaluation is indicated.