Vision does not occur automatically. Vision is learned, and it develops. The development of eye movement skills, eye teaming skills and eye-hand coordination must be learned. These will then form the basis for the interpretation and understanding of information that is processed through the visual system.
Interference to the developing visual system, however, can cause problems in acquiring information. This will restrict the child, and he will not be visually ready to begin the tasks required of him in school. It is estimated that 20 percent of the children entering school have detectable visual problems. This is why a child's first vision evaluation should take place by age three, to ensure that vision development is proceeding properly. If a parent suspects a problem prior to that age, the family optometrist should be consulted, because visual problems are preventable.
When does it all begin? Because the eye is so complex, its intricate parts begin to form early in the uniform child. Three months before the fetus enters the world, it is blinking its eyelids and moving its eyes - much the same as the newborn baby will do when he begins to explore the world of light. At birth the part of the eye on which clearest vision depends is not fully developed. Vision needs time for growth and development.
A newborn is visually sensitive to light from the moment of birth. His room should be lit at naptimes but with no extreme bright areas. Crib position and baby's position within the crib should be varied. Feeding should be done in mother's right and left arms alternately. Toys should not be suspended directly over the face but rather in varied positions. A parent can observe the baby's eyeballs making short lateral excursions, even under closed lids. This independent movement of the two eyes is expected during the first four months of age.
