Vision Milestones

Milestones related to vision or seeing

Birth:

• Poor eyesight

• Infant will blink in response to bright light or touching eye

• Eyes are sometimes uncoordinated, may look cross-eyed

• Able to stare at object if held 8 to 10 inches away

• Initially fixes eyes on a face or light then begins to follow a moving object

1 month:

• Looks at faces and pictures with contrasting black and white images

• Can follow an object up to 90 degrees

• Watches parent closely

• Tears begin to form

2 to 3 months:

• Begins to be able to see an object as one image

• Looks at hands

• Follows light, faces, and objects

4 to 5 months:

• Beginning to reach hands to objects, may bat at hanging object with hands

• Can stare at a block

• Recognizes bottle

• Will look at self in mirror

• Will look at own hand

5 to 7 months:

• Has full color vision, and able to see at longer distances

• Can pick up a toy that is dropped

• Will turn head to see an object

• Likes certain colors

• Will touch image of self in mirror

7 to 11 months:

• Can stare at small objects

• Begins to have depth perception

• Plays peek-a-boo

11 to 12 months:

• Can watch objects that are moving fast

12 to 14 months:

• Able to place shapes in correct holes

• Becomes interested in pictures

• Recognizes familiar objects and pictures in books, and may point to some objects when asked, "Where is the ...?"

• Points and gestures for objects and actions

• Recognizes own face in mirror

18 to 24 months:

• Able to focus on objects near and far

• Scribbles with crayon or pencil, and may imitate drawing straight line or circle

• Can point to body parts (nose, hair, and eyes) when asked

36 to 48 months:

• Can copy shapes

• Vision is nearing 20/20

• Names colors

48 to 72 months (4 to 6 years):

• Recognizes and recites the alphabet

• Ready to begin reading

• Has complete depth perception

• Uses scissors

• Can name coins and money