The American Academy of Pediatrics has set up the following basic guidelines to emphasize the importance of regular eye examinations in infancy and childhood.

Vision Problem Warning Signs for Infants up to 1 year Old

• Difficulty making steady eye contact by 2-3 months
• Constant crossing of eyes or one eye that turns in or out (occasional crossing of eyes up to 6 months of age is normal)
• Difficulty tracking or following moving objects

Vision Problem Warning Signs for Pre-School Children

• Misalignment of eye - see ophthalmologist immediately
• Presence of a white pupil - see ophthalmologist immediately
• Sudden development of pain or redness in eye

Vision Problem Warning Signs for Children of any Age

• Eyes fluttering quickly from side-to-side, or up-and-down
• Watery eyes
• Eyes sensitive to light
• White, grayish-white, or yellow-colored material in pupil
• Constant redness
• Continued pus or crust in eye
• Eyes look crossed
• Child rubs eyes constantly
• Child squints often
• Eyelid droops
• Eyes appear to bulge