Before his first birthday, baby’s eyesight continues to improve. During his first weeks, his central vision remains blurry, and his eyes are particularly sensitive to bright light. During the second month, his retinas become more mature and his pupils enlarge. Usually, babies begin to see the faces of those around them during their third month.
1. What visual skills does baby need to acquire before seeing faces?
To be able to see faces, babies must go through several important phases of visual development. During his first weeks of life, his vision is still too immature to achieve this. Indeed, his eyes:
- are still too sensitive to bright light;
- are equipped with small pupils unable to let in enough light, and immature retinas;
- provide good peripheral vision, but approximate central vision;
- are unable to focus on an object in front of them;
- do not work in harmony together.
After a month, baby manages to focus his attention on objects for a few seconds. He is especially interested in bright colors near him, and is sensitive to a wider range of light intensities. His visual acuity develops, and his eyes improve, both in terms of synchronization and focus.
2. 2 months: the approximate age to distinguish a face
Babies manage to fixate and distinguish the faces of those around them around 2 months, according to the fact sheet on the development of a baby’s vision up to 12 months, published by the American Academy Ophthalmology. The age of this acquisition varies slightly from one child to another. Before 2 months, infants tend to distinguish the contours of objects. Between two and four months, they gradually become able to follow moving objects, and their eyes improve their ability to focus. They can appreciate the overall appearance of faces, but also certain reliefs and certain colors. At this age, babies are able to recognize their parents’ faces.
3. What to do if baby doesn’t seem to see faces?
While each child progresses at their own pace, it is important for parents to know when to consult an optometrist or ophthalmologist. The following signs may indicate an abnormality in the development of baby’s eyes and vision:
- baby does not follow moving objects with his gaze;
- baby often blinks or squints after 6 months;
- baby has pale pupils;
- baby cries or gets upset when his parents hide one of his eyes;
- his hand-eye coordination seems abnormal;
- baby often bumps into things and struggles to get his bearings.
Sources:
- Vision development: newborn to 12 months, American Academy Ophthalmology, February 1, 2022
- What does the newborn see?, University of Geneva