The following may be signs of developmental delay. There is a wide range of typical development. However, follow up with a pediatrician if your child shows signs of delays.

Causes of vision developmental delays can include:

• Nearsightedness or farsightedness
• Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)
• Strabismus
• Amblyopia
• Infantile cataracts 

Remember, though, that most delays are not serious. Most children eventually catch up. Even children with serious delays can make big improvements when treatment begins as early as possible. Treatment for vision delays may include surgery, eye patches, or glasses, including special glasses.

Birth to Three Months

• Arms and trunk feel floppy and excessively loose
• Moves arms and legs in only a limited way
• Arms and legs are stiff when moved during dressing and changing
• Does not follow moving objects with eyes
• Does not notice hands
• Eyes cross or turn out

Three to Six Months

• Does not notice hands
• Eyes cross or turn out
  
• Has limited ability to reach and grasp for objects
• Has dominant movement on one side only
• Does not often bring hands or objects to mouth
• Experiences constant tearing or eye drainage

Six to Twelve Months

• Squints; experiences light sensitivity
• Has consistent tearing or eye drainage
• Eyes increasingly cross after three months of age; or one eye consistently turns out
• Has trouble with moving eyes in all directions
• Does not follow near and far objects with both eyes

Twelve to Eighteen Months

• Has decreased ability or interest in grasping and exploring objects with hands
• Uses one hand much more than the other hand
• Squints or tilts head while looking at an object
• Rubs the eyes when not sleepy or tears excessively

Eighteen to Twenty-four Months

• Has trouble grasping or using objects, such as utensils or a brush
• Has trouble using both hands together
• Has poor eye-hand coordination
• Does not notice or point out objects that are either near or distant
• Eyes have change in appearance—change in color or position
• Squints often
• Tilts head or moves objects closer to see
• Appears to be clumsier than expected for age
• Complains of eye pain or discomfort

Two to Three Years

• Has trouble grasping a crayon or pen (uses a very immature grasp pattern, such as using the fist)
• Has trouble with scribbling
• Has trouble towering blocks
• Has oversensitivity to light
• Avoids near-vision activities, such as working with puzzles
• Avoids far-vision activities, such as ball play
• Complains of double vision
• Has changes in the appearance of the eyes

Three to Five Years

• Has trouble with throwing
• Has trouble with grasping a pen or crayon
• Has trouble with scribbling

Links & Resources »

References »