Newborn Crossed Eyes: What's Normal And What's Not

It is common for newborns to have crossed eyes, and this is usually harmless and goes away within a few months as the baby's vision develops. However, if the condition persists beyond four months of age, it may indicate an eye condition called strabismus, which requires medical attention. Strabismus is characterised by a misalignment of the eyes, with one or both eyes wandering or turning inward or outward. Treatment options for strabismus include eyeglasses, eye patches, eye drops, and, in severe cases, surgery.

It is normal for newborns to have crossed eyes for the first few months of their lives

It's Normal for Newborns to Have Crossed Eyes for the First Few Months of Their Lives

It's perfectly normal for newborns to have crossed eyes for the first few months of their lives. This is because they are still developing the muscles that control eye movement and learning to focus their vision. In addition, newborns may have extra skin folds around their eyes or a wider nose bridge, which can give the appearance of crossed eyes. This typically resolves on its own as the baby grows.

Newborn Vision Development

Newborns are born with an underdeveloped visual system. Their eye muscles are weak and need time to strengthen. During the first few months of life, newborns are learning to focus and coordinate their eye movements. It is common for their eyes to wander or cross occasionally during this time. By around 4 months of age, most babies can move their eyes together without issues, and this is often when crossed eyes will straighten out.

When to Seek Help for Crossed Eyes

While crossed eyes in newborns are typically harmless and resolve on their own, there are times when you should seek help from a healthcare provider. If your baby's eyes are still crossing or moving in different directions past 6 months of age, or if they stay crossed or turned in different directions for more than a few seconds at a time, it is recommended to talk to your pediatrician.

Causes of Crossed Eyes in Newborns

The appearance of crossed eyes in newborns can be due to a lack of development of the eye muscles and coordination. In some cases, it may be caused by extra skin folds in the inner corners of the eyes or a wider nose bridge, which can give the illusion of crossed eyes. This is known as pseudostrabismus and usually resolves as the baby grows.

Treatment for Crossed Eyes

If crossed eyes persist beyond 4 months of age, it may be a sign of an eye condition called strabismus, which is a misalignment of the eyes. Strabismus can be treated with glasses, eye patches, eye drops, or, in some cases, surgery. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to ensure the best chance of healthy vision for your baby.

This is due to under-developed eye coordination and usually goes away by the time they are 4 months old

It is perfectly normal for a newborn's eyes to occasionally cross or wander in different directions. This is because a newborn's eyes are uncoordinated and still learning to focus. In the first few months of a baby's life, their vision is not yet fully developed, and the muscles that move their eyes are not fully coordinated.

By the time a baby is 3 to 4 months old, their eyes should be able to move together without issues as their eye-hand coordination and depth perception improve. This is when their eyes usually straighten out.

However, if a baby's eyes continue to cross or wander past this age, it may be a sign of an eye condition called strabismus, which can be treated with glasses, therapy, or surgery. Strabismus is characterised by a misalignment of the eyes, where one eye focuses on what the baby is looking at while the other wanders. It is important to get an early diagnosis and treatment to reduce the risk of "lazy eye" or amblyopia, which can lead to vision loss.

In some cases, wandering or crossed eyes can be a sign of an eye condition called strabismus

It is common for newborns to have crossed eyes, and this is usually harmless and goes away within a few months. Newborns spend their first nine months in darkness, so their eyes are not used to focusing on objects. Their vision is not fully developed, and their eye muscles are not fully coordinated. As their eyes adjust to the outside world, it is normal for them to wander outward or cross occasionally.

Symptoms of strabismus

Symptoms of strabismus include eyes that look misaligned or don't move together. Eyes may regularly appear to drift outward or cross inward. Other symptoms include frequent blinking or squinting, especially in bright light, and tilting of the head, which may be a sign that the baby is trying to line up an object in their field of vision.

Treatment for strabismus

It is important to diagnose and treat strabismus early. If left untreated, strabismus can lead to "lazy eye" or amblyopia, where the brain ignores the visual images of the weaker eye, resulting in blurry vision, double vision, and impaired depth perception. Treatment options for strabismus include eyeglasses, eye patches, eye drops, and, in severe cases, surgery to loosen or tighten the muscles that cause the eye to wander.

If a baby is older than 4 months and still has crossed eyes, they may have strabismus

It is common for newborns to have crossed eyes, and this is usually harmless. However, if your baby is older than four months and still has crossed eyes, they may have strabismus.

Strabismus is a condition where the eyes don't line up together or one or both eyes wander. It can be caused by a problem with the nerves or muscles in the eyes and tends to run in families. It may also be linked to another vision issue or medical condition.

If your baby's crossed eyes persist beyond four months of age, it's important to get their eyes checked by a doctor. The doctor may refer you to a pediatric ophthalmologist for vision testing. Early diagnosis and treatment of strabismus are crucial, as untreated strabismus can lead to "lazy eye" or amblyopia. This occurs when the brain ignores the visual images of the weaker eye, resulting in blurry vision, double vision, and impaired depth perception.

Treatment options for strabismus include eyeglasses, eye patches, eye drops, and, in severe cases, surgery to loosen or tighten the eye muscles.

Strabismus can be corrected with glasses, therapy, or surgery

It is normal for newborns to occasionally have crossed eyes during the first few months of life. However, by the time a baby is 4–6 months old, their eyes usually straighten out. If one or both eyes continue to wander, it is likely due to strabismus.

Strabismus, or a misalignment of the eyes, is common in newborns and babies and can also occur in older children. It can manifest in several ways, including esotropia (inward turning), exotropia (outward turning), hypertropia (upward turning), and hypotropia (downward turning).

Strabismus can often be corrected with glasses, therapy, or surgery:

Glasses

Glasses can be used to correct strabismus by reducing the effort required to focus, thereby aligning the eyes. This method is particularly effective for accommodative esotropia, a condition that can result from severe farsightedness. Glasses may take a few months to start showing results and may not be effective for all types of strabismus.

Therapy

Vision therapy involves exercises that improve eye-brain coordination and enhance depth perception. It is effective for both children and adults and can be used in combination with other treatments. Therapy can help align the eyes and improve overall vision quality, but it may take several months to see noticeable improvements.

Surgery

If other treatments are insufficient, eye muscle surgery may be considered to correct strabismus. This procedure involves altering the muscles around the eyes to improve alignment. The surgery can be performed under anesthesia, and the recovery time is typically a few days. However, it is important to note that multiple surgeries may be required in some cases, and there are risks associated with any surgical procedure.

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