The sooner problems are addressed, the better it will be for your baby’s eyes now and in the future. Things to look out for include:
For babies under 3 months, crossed or squint eyes that point in different directions is relatively common and a part of normal development. If this continues beyond 3 months however, they may need treatment^2^. Crossed eyes can be hard to detect so if you are in any doubt you should talk to your GP.
In rare cases, babies are born with a cataract in one or both eyes. This will affect the lens inside their eye and it may cause symptoms such as a squint, poor vision, “wobbling” eyes or a white or grey pupil.
If your baby’s eyes seem to jump, wobble back and forth or move erratically, they might have a condition called nystagmus, which could be affecting their vision^3^.
A baby whose eyes seem to water all the time, whether they are happy or upset, may have blocked or infected tear ducts.
If your baby’s eyes have a sticky discharge or crustiness in the morning and are red and irritated, they may have conjunctivitis.
Very rarely, a baby will be born with glaucoma. Symptoms may include a dislike of bright lights or sunshine, and eyes that appear larger than normal and look cloudy^4^.