What you need to know:

• Vision problems are very important to be dealt with at the earliest.
• The further development of the child depends on the ability of the child to see well.
• A term baby (born at 37 completed week’s gestation) will continue to develop vision over the next few weeks of birth. The vision gets clearer over the next 3-4 weeks.
• The newborn should be able to follow a bright coloured dangling ring placed in front of his/ her eyes from side to side. This develops over the course of the next few weeks.
• At 2 months, the baby should easily identify the caretaker and acknowledge his/her presence with a smile, this indicates a normal vision or the ability to well perceive his/her surroundings.
• Do not hesitate to see a doctor if any of these requisites are delayed.

• There is a duct (channel) connecting the eye to the inner nose so that tears can drain into the pipe into the nose.
• The opening of this duct is on the medial side of the eye (Towards the bridge of nose)

• When the duct is blocked, it leads to teary eyes. Generally seen in newborn babies.
• If it is associated with redness of the eye or yellowish discharge, it can mean an infection.
• To overcome a blocked duct, you can massage the bridge of the nose with clean hands (thumb and index finger) in circular motions.

• It is the infection of the topmost layer of eye (This layer is like a plastic cover)

This can occur during:

a) Viral infections-

• Very common in children
• There is no pus discharge
• Appears during certain seasons of the year.

b) Bacterial infections–

• Relatively Rare
• Can have Pus discharge
• The child may look unwell with pain in the eye.

c) Allergy-

• Generally, there is a family history of allergy, sneezing, running nose.
• Responds to anti-allergic treatment

• As the name suggests, it is a certain angle of droop in the child’s eyelids.
• The eyelids are supplied by certain nerves from the brain.
• Certain problems with these nerves may cause the eyelids to droop.

• If drooping appears, then it has to be seen by a doctor immediately
• There could occasionally be a family history and other associations linked to it.

• Children are prone to infection of the skin surrounding the eye.
• Generally, there is a history of trauma prior to swelling (Scratch to the skin or bug bite).
• The child may have a fever, inability to move the eye, and the appearance of the eye being pushed forward.
• The concern is that the infection can later invade the eye.
• Hence this condition should be immediately diagnosed and treated with antibiotics for 2 weeks

• Blurred vision
• Headache/ eye ache
• Repeated rubbing of eyes
• Closing eyes partially to see better

• White colour visible within the eyes of a newborn
• If the mother during delivery suffered from certain viral infections(Toxoplasma/ Cytomegalovirus etc.)
• Redness in the eyes of a newborn that does not improve after 1 week( This could mean other transmitted diseases are at play)
• Severe Pain/watering/ unable to see light/ redness in eye
• Eye trauma
• Swelling around eyes
• Appearance of the eye being pushed out of its sockets