Newborns enter the world with poor eyesight. Their vision improves gradually over the first few months of life as their eyes continue to develop. While newborns can’t see details clearly, they are able to perceive light, colors, shapes and movement. Understanding a newborn’s visual abilities can help parents better interact with and care for their baby in those first few weeks.
Can newborns see faces?
Newborns are able to focus best at a distance of 8 to 12 inches – about the distance between a nursing baby and his or her mother’s face. However, their vision is very blurry at this distance. A newborn can see best at a distance of 1 foot to 20 inches. But even at this distance, they see mostly shapes and blobs of color. Newborns prefer looking at faces over any other shape or pattern. But they see them only as a fuzzy mix of light and dark patches. While faces are visually stimulating for newborns, they cannot actually make out facial features until they are about 4 to 6 inches away. Until then, newborn babies see their parents as a fuzzy blur.
Can newborns see color?
Newborns have color vision from birth. However, they probably don’t perceive colors as bright as older children and adults do. Newborns are able to differentiate between primary colors like red, green and blue. However, their ability to detect differences between similar shades is very poor. For instance, they see bright red and pale pink as the same color. In fact, newborns have more color-receptor cells (called cones) in their retina compared to adults. But these cones are very immature at birth. It takes a few months for their eyes to develop the neurological wiring to transmit more refined color signals to the brain. So while newborns do see in color, their color vision keeps maturing over the first 6 months.
Do newborn babies prefer black and white?
Many parents think newborns see only black, white and shades of grey. This is not true. Newborns have color vision right from birth as noted above. However, high contrast colors like black and white provide more visual stimulation to a newborn’s immature eyes. The stark difference between dark and light areas makes it easier for them to pick out shapes and patterns. Newborn vision is blurry, but the high contrast makes things stand out better. So newborns do prefer looking at black-and-white images and patterns over colors. Black-and-white books and toys with simple patterns are easier for them to focus on. But as their vision develops over 2-3 months, their preference for high contrast patterns declines.
Newborn Vision Milestones
Here is an overview of how a newborn’s vision develops and matures over the first year:
0-1 month
- Sees shades of black, white and grey
- Prefers looking at high contrast patterns
- Best focus distance is 8-12 inches
- Sees but does not recognize faces
- Makes eye contact for a few seconds
- Eyes wander and occasionally cross or jitter
- Has blurry vision overall
1-3 months
- Starts following moving objects with eyes
- Recognizes parents’ faces
- Makes steady eye contact
- Eyes work in coordination
- Vision sharpens to 20/400
- Sees best at 8-15 inches distance
- Prefers looking at faces over patterns
- Distinguishes primary colors
3-6 months
- Vision sharpens to 20/200
- Depth perception starts developing
- Able to scan small objects placed 3-5 feet away
- Brings objects into focus by 4 months
- Looks for dropped objects
- Recognizes familiar faces from farther away
- Follows moving objects in a wide arc
- Reaches out for objects within view
6-12 months
- Vision sharpens to 20/100
- Clearly sees fine details up close
- Reads facial expressions
- Makes out distant objects and writing
- Recognizes objects seen before
- Looks in mirror at self
- Vision sharpens to 20/50
Factors That Affect Newborn Vision Development
Here are some key factors that can impact how a newborn’s vision develops over the first year:
Premature birth
Babies born significantly preterm may have underdeveloped eyes due to shortened gestation. The extent of visual impairment depends on how early they are born. Preemies are at higher risk of conditions like retinopathy and strabismus. With proper screening and treatment, most preemies develop normal vision by 1 year.
Low birth weight
Low birth weight is often associated with prematurity. Smaller newborns may have slightly delayed vision development. By 6 months to 1 year, most overcome any lags and reach normal vision milestones.
Inherited eye disorders
Genetic or congenital disorders affecting eye development can impair vision. Some examples are cataracts, glaucoma, retinal disorders and optic nerve hypoplasia. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to minimizing their impact.
Birth injuries
The birth process poses a slight risk of physical injury to a baby’s eyes and nerves. Forceps delivery is associated with higher risk of damage. Injuries like retinal hemorrhage and optic nerve trauma can negatively affect vision.
Maternal smoking
Exposure to nicotine and cigarette smoke in the womb is linked to increased risk of poor eyesight in newborns. Maternal smoking may increase the risk of impaired color vision and other ophthalmic problems.
Developmental delays
General developmental delays, motor deficits and health conditions like Down syndrome can affect a baby’s vision development. Their visual milestones may be slightly delayed as a result.
Nutrition
Malnutrition or deficiencies of vitamins A and E are known to adversely affect eye health and vision in newborns. Good maternal and newborn nutrition supports proper visual development.
How to Test Newborn Vision
New parents often wonder if their baby’s vision is normal and developing well. Here are some simple ways to assess your newborn’s visual abilities:
Note eye movements
Observe if your newborn’s eyes are able to move smoothly and focus steadily on faces and objects. Jittery or crossed eyes may indicate an eye problem.
Check eye alignment
Misaligned eyes or a squint could signal strabismus or lazy eye. Cover each eye alternately to see if they move in unison.
Watch tracking ability
Move a bright toy slowly from side to side at a distance. Check if your newborn is able to follow the toy with both eyes.
Assess response to light
Note if your baby blinks or squints when a light is directed at his/her eyes. An irregular pupillary reflex may warrant further evaluation.
Test distance vision
Move your face slowly away from your baby while making eye contact. See at what distance gaze is broken to assess visual acuity.
Try the red reflex test
Use an ophthalmoscope to shine a light into your baby’s eyes. Check that both pupils glow bright red. A dull or grey reflex could indicate a cataract or other opacity.
Schedule an exam
Have your pediatrician carefully examine your baby’s eyes at regular well child visits. Ask for a referral to a pediatric ophthalmologist if any vision concerns arise.
Ways Parents Can Stimulate Their Newborn’s Vision
Here are some simple tips parents can use to help stimulate their newborn’s visual development in the first 2-3 months:
Make eye contact
Hold your newborn about 9-12 inches from your face when nursing or bonding. Making frequent eye contact helps strengthen their vision.
Use mobiles and contrast cards
Hang black-and-white mobiles or contrast cards near your newborn’s crib. The high contrast patterns provide visual stimulation.
Hold books close
Hold books with simple, bold illustrations 4-6 inches in front of your newborn’s face so they can focus on them.
Dim the lights
Keep lighting soft and indirect in your baby’s room. Bright light can be visually overwhelming.
Go for walks outside
Strolling outside exposes your newborn to visually stimulating natural scenery and shadows.
Point out faces and objects
Name and point to family members, pets and toys around your baby to encourage visual recognition.
Limit screen time
Avoid prolonged exposure to TV, computers and smartphones, as this forces newborn eyes to focus at close distances.
Track moving objects
Play tracking games by moving toys slowly to help strengthen eye muscles. Suspended or spinning mobiles also facilitate tracking.
Change focus distances
Hold your face or a toy at varying distances like 6, 12, 18 inches to exercise accommodation skills.
When to See a Doctor
Most newborns have normal vision at birth that keeps maturing. But some may show early signs of eye abnormalities warranting further assessment. See a pediatric eye doctor promptly if your newborn has any of the following:
- White or greyish pupil instead of red reflex
- Pupils of unequal size
- Eyes not aligned or wandering outward
- Constant eye twitching, shaking or jitteriness
- No response when a light is shone into eyes
- Rubbing eyes excessively
- Extreme light sensitivity or difficulty opening eyes
- Avoidance of eye contact
- Failed vision screening test
Early diagnosis and treatment of congenital eye defects can prevent long term vision impairment. Premature babies are also at higher risk for retinopathy and require routine eye exams.
Conclusion
While newborns cannot see 20/20 or make out fine details, their vision is sufficient to perceive the world around them right from birth. Newborn eyesight gradually keeps improving over the first year as visual pathways in the brain develop. Parents can help nurture their baby’s vision by providing visual stimulation. Close monitoring for signs of eye abnormalities is also important for early intervention. With time and neurological maturation, vision typically reaches near-adult levels by the time babies are toddlers.