Key aspects of visual development in childhood

13/11/2025

The human visual system is not born fully formed. We are not born seeing, but with the ability to learn to see. The maturation of vision is a gradual and dynamic process that begins at birth and is completed at around 8–9 years of age, with the first four years being those of greatest plasticity and progression.

How does vision develop in childhood?

From birth to 9 years, vision evolves progressively. These are the main visual milestones that mark each stage:

0 to 1 month: first reflexes

• The baby distinguishes light and darkness.
• Their vision is limited to around 20–30 cm.
• They detect movement and are attracted to faces, especially their parents'.

1 to 3 months: start of coordination

• They begin to perceive light–dark contrast and some colours such as red and green.
• The accommodation reflex (focusing) begins.
• They start to follow moving objects (moving their head).

3 to 6 months: binocular vision

• Focusing ability improves.
• Development of stereoscopic or depth vision begins.
• They perceive a greater variety of colours.
• They recognise more and more faces.

6 to 12 months: greater visual precision

• They use their eyes in a coordinated way.
• They can fuse the two retinal images of an object, achieving binocular vision.
• They perceive images in three dimensions.
• Distance calculation becomes more precise.

From one year onwards

• The visual field resembles that of an adult.
• Coordination between eyes, hands and body improves.
• They can understand their spatial world.
• They develop visual memory and discrimination.

Vision will not be fully developed until around 8–9 years of age. During this period, the visual system is very vulnerable, so a lack of stimulation can have harmful consequences. Any cause of poor vision in one or both eyes during this stage can affect visual development and lead to amblyopia or “lazy eye”.

Milestones in childhood visual development

Warning signs: when to see a paediatric ophthalmologist?

Detecting any visual abnormality early is key to ensuring proper visual development in childhood. The main warning signs and symptoms that may indicate something is not right with a child’s vision include:

• Blurred vision or difficulty focusing
• Getting very close to objects or the blackboard
• Poor school performance
• Constant blinking or squinting to focus
• Frequent headaches or heavy eyelids after visual effort
• Frequent eye redness
• Eye itching and a tendency to rub the eyes often
• Tilting the head to fix their gaze
• Deviation or constant closing of one eye
• Involuntary eye movements (nystagmus)
• White pupil or abnormal reflex (leukocoria)

Importance of early ophthalmological screening

Even if there are no apparent symptoms, it is recommended that a full ophthalmological examination be carried out by a specialist between the ages of 2 and 3. Early detection and treatment of common childhood eye conditions—such as refractive errors, strabismus, organic pathology (ptosis, congenital cataract...) and amblyopia—are essential to achieving a good visual prognosis. Not acting in time can condemn the child to keep the problem into adulthood. What is not learned visually in childhood cannot be recovered later in adult life.

Frequently asked questions about childhood visual development

1. Is it normal for a baby to squint? Yes, up to 6 months it can be physiological. If it persists beyond this age, it is advisable to have an evaluation by a specialist ophthalmologist.
2. When should vision be checked for the first time? Between 2 and 3 years of age, even if there are no symptoms.
3. What is lazy eye and can it be treated? It is the loss of vision in one or both eyes due to lack of use during the visual development stage. Yes, it can be treated if detected and treated before the age of 4, after which the chances of recovery progressively decrease, becoming almost nil from 9–10 years onwards.
4. Can vision improve without treatment? Not in cases where there is pathology. It can be maintained with healthy habits, visual hygiene measures and regular check-ups with the ophthalmologist, who will indicate the most appropriate treatment in each case.
5. Can children wear glasses from a young age? Absolutely—there is no minimum age for wearing glasses. They can and should wear them if prescribed by the ophthalmologist, as early diagnosis and treatment is crucial to ensuring proper visual development.

Visual development is a crucial and vulnerable process. At Barraquer, our paediatric ophthalmology team is highly specialised in the medical and surgical diagnosis and treatment of any eye condition affecting childhood, ensuring proper visual development for the youngest members of the family.

Dr. Idoia Rodríguez Maiztegui, ophthalmologist at the Barraquer Ophthalmology Centre