How Babies See the World: Vision Development in the First Year

How Babies See the World: Vision Development in the First Year

Click on the stages of development to learn more.

Newborn

2-4 Months

5-8 Months

9-12 Months

Adjusting to light and beginning to focus

Focusing and tracking moving objects

Reaching, recognizing, and recalling

Gripping, grasping, and on the go

Strong depth perception and ability to judge distance. Eyes likely reach their final color. Baby can grasp objects with precision and uses vision to explore while standing and walking.

Begins tracking moving objects and recognizing faces. Eyes may wander or cross but usually correct themselves. Reaches for objects, and by 4 months, depth perception starts to develop.

Vision sharpens and can almost see in full color. Depth perception improves, and baby recognizes familiar faces from across the room. Hand-eye coordination strengthens as baby reaches and crawls.

Sees in black, white, and gray, focusing on objects 8-10 inches away. Sensitive to light. Eyes are about 65% of adult size and can focus briefly on close objects.

Image by Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels.

Sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology and Nationwide Children's Hospital