BY

CARLA BRIDGES

Preston was born on June 8, 2009.

His vision was exceptionally well.

He could track objects from birth.

Of my 5 sons he was the first to have this ability from birth.

How developed is an infants eye?

How well can an infant see?

Can they see in color?

How long does it take for the eye to mature?

4.4.7 Describe that human beings have made tools and machines, such as x-rays, microscopes, and computers, to sense and do things that they could not otherwise sense or do at all, or as quickly, or as well.

4.4.9 Explain that food provides energy and materials for growth and repair of body parts. Recognize that vitamins and minerals, present in small amounts in foods, are essential to keep everything working well. Further understand that as people grow up, the amounts and kinds of food and exercise needed by the body may change.

Normal infant development proceeds from the head down. At birth, your baby's eyes are already 65 percent of their adult size!

http://www.allaboutvision.com/parents/infants.htm

An infant can see about 8- 15 inches. The amount of light required for a 1-month-old infant

to be aware that light is present (called the light detection threshold) is 50 times higher than that of an adult.

Despite these visual limitations, studies show that within a few days after birth, infants prefer looking at an image of their mother's face to that of a stranger. Researchers believe this preference depends on large, high-contrast stimuli, like the boundary of the mother's hairline to her face. (In studies, if these boundaries were masked with a scarf or bathing cap, the infants' preference of looking at their mother's face went away.)

http://www.allaboutvision.com/parents/infants.htm

At two months the eyes begin to work together. An infant's light detection threshold is only 10 times that of an adult. So you may want to dim the lights a bit more for naps and bedtime.

By the end of this month your baby should have about 20/60 vision. Visual acuity develops before distance.

At birth, your baby sees only in black and white and shades of gray. Nerve cells in their retina and brain that control vision are not fully developed.

Infants start to develop the ability to see in colors very quickly. At one week after birth, they can see red, orange, yellow and green. It takes a little longer for them to be able to see blue and violet. This is because blue light has shorter wavelengths, and fewer color receptors exist in the human retina for blue light.

http://www.allaboutvision.com/parents/infants.htm

By six months, your child’s vision has developed to 20/20. . You will see how eyesight becomes an important element in your baby’s ability to coordinate full-body movements such as standing and walking.

By twelve months the connection between eyes, movement and memory is strong. In the past year improvements to your baby’s coordinated attempts to roll a ball, pick up small toys and objects and feed themselves foods like Cheerios or sliced fruit. All of this would not be possible (within this timeline) without proper eye development.

Infant Vision Development. Retrieved September 18, 2009. http://www.allaboutvision.com/parents/infants.htm

Developmental milestones: Sight BabyCenter. Retrieved September 18, 2009. http://www.babycenter.com/0_developmental-milestones-sight_6508.bc

Bausch and Lomb Understanding Your Baby’s Vision. Retrieved September 18, 2009. http://www.bausch.com/en_US/consumer/age/babies_eye_development.aspx