Is Your Infant’s Vision Developing Normally? Here’s How InfantSEE Can Help

From the moment your baby is born, their eyes begin playing a critical role in learning and development. Vision guides how infants interact with the world - helping them recognize faces, explore their environment, and eventually develop essential skills like hand-eye coordination and depth perception. But because infants can’t communicate what they see, it can be difficult for parents to know whether their child’s vision is developing as it should.
 

Understanding Infant Vision Development

In the first year of life, your baby’s vision grows rapidly. Some key milestones include:

• Birth to 3 months: Babies begin focusing on objects and start to track movement with their eyes.
• 4 to 6 months: Depth perception improves, and babies may reach for objects they see.
• 7 to 12 months: Vision becomes sharper, and coordination between eyes and hands develops further.

While these stages are typical, every child develops at their own pace. However, certain delays or irregularities in vision development can signal potential problems.
 

Why Early Eye Exams Are Crucial

Even if your child seems to be seeing well, some eye conditions don’t show obvious symptoms. Issues like lazy eye (amblyopia), strabismus (eye turn), or significant refractive errors can go undetected without a professional exam. Left untreated, these conditions may impact not only vision but also learning and development later in childhood.
 

What Is InfantSEE®?

InfantSEE® is a public health program managed by the American Optometric Association (AOA). It provides no-cost, comprehensive eye assessments for infants between 6 and 12 months of age, regardless of family income or insurance coverage.
 

During an InfantSEE® exam, our optometrist will:

• Check how well your baby’s eyes work together
• Look for signs of eye disease or abnormalities
• Assess eye alignment, focus, and movement
• Ensure your infant’s vision is developing normally

This proactive approach helps identify concerns early - when treatment is most effective.
 

How Family Vision Associates Supports Your Child’s Vision

At Family Vision Associates, we proudly participate in the InfantSEE® program because we believe every child deserves a healthy start to their vision journey. Our compassionate team takes the time to evaluate your infant’s eyes thoroughly and answer any questions you may have as a parent. By scheduling your child’s first eye exam around 6-12 months, you give them the best opportunity to thrive as they grow.
 

Schedule your baby’s InfantSEE® exam at Family Vision Associates to ensure clear and healthy vision. Visit our office in Parsippany, New Jersey, or call (973) 386-0111 to book an appointment today.