Eye Problems in Infants

Several eye problems can occur during infancy. Often the problems go unnoticed due to the child's development. According to the American Optometric Association, only 13 percent of mothers of children younger than 2 have taken their children to see an eye care professional. In addition, 10 percent of children are at risk of undiagnosed eye problems. That's why it's important for parents to recognize the signs and symptoms of common eye problems. (13)

Conjunctivitis

• Conjunctivitis, also known as pinkeye, can also occur in infants. According to the Mayo Clinic, in newborns, a blocked tear duct may cause conjunctivitis. This eye problem could also be a result of irritants like a foreign object in the eye. Signs of conjunctivitis include swollen eyelids and watery, pus-like discharge from the eye. Treatment for conjunctivitis is usually antibiotic eyedrops or an antibiotic ointment. (3)(4)

Lazy Eye

• Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, is common among infants. According to the National Eye Institute, "the condition affects approximately two to three out of every 100 children." Lazy eye usually starts occurring around 18 months of age. Symptoms of lazy eye include eyes that wander apart and lack of depth perception. Lazy eye can be treated with the medication Atropine or a patch. Those treatments strengthen the eye with amblyopia. (4)(5)(6)

Crossed Eyes

• Strabismus (crossed eyes) is normally caused by amblyopia. The most noticeable symptoms are that the infant's eyes are not aligned. According to Prevent Blindness America, parents should seek help from an eye specialist if they notice crossed eyes in infants four months of age or older. The earlier parents detect the eye problem the better. The most common treatment is glasses. However, some infants may require an operation to align crossed eyes. (7)(8)(9)

Cataracts

• In most infants, cataracts are congenital. This eye problem may also be a symptom of a metabolic disease. According to the Children's Hospital Boston, "cataracts occur in about 0.4 percent of children. They can affect either one eye (unilateral) or both eyes (bilateral)." Unfortunately, cataracts usually don't show any symptoms until they are large enough to affect vision. Glasses or cataract surgery are the treatments for cataracts. (10)(11)(12)

Other Symptoms of Eye Problems

• Overall, parents should look for tearing of the eyes, abnormal eye movement and sensitivity to light in infants to detect eye problems. If your child is at risk for eye problems, the American Optometric Association recommends an assessment between the ages of six months and 12 months. Early intervention of eye problems in infancy is both health-effective and cost-effective. (13)