Is it normal for newborns to cross their eyes

The earlier strabismus is treated, the better. This is because key connections between a child's eyes and brain form by about 8 years old. Sometimes, wearing eyeglasses is enough to straighten out the eyes. If not, a child might be given an eye patch to wear over the straight eye for a few hours a day. This patch makes the weaker eye do the "seeing" work. Over time, the muscles and vision in the weaker eye become stronger.

Getting a baby or toddler to accept wearing an eye patch can be a challenge. But most kids get used to the patch. Wearing it becomes part of their daily routine, like getting dressed in the morning. Sometimes, though, kids refuse to wear an eye patch. Then, eye drops called atropine drops might be used instead. Just as eye patching blocks the vision in the straight eye, the atropine drops temporarily blur out vision in that eye. This makes the weaker eye work harder so that eye muscles and vision get stronger.

Surgery involves loosening or tightening the muscles that cause the eye to wander. The good news is that strabismus, if treated early, can be corrected with much success. Treatment options include:. Infants should have their first comprehensive eye exam at six months. Home Blog. Back to Top. In This Article.

Continue Reading Below. Read This Next. How to Treat Omphalitis in Newborn Babies. Staring into your Baby's Eyes. View Sources. First Year. First Year Groups. Go to Your Baby's Age. For younger children who are not yet able to verbalize problems with their vision, parents may notice frequent squinting. Children with strabismus may also turn or tilt their heads in an attempt to see certain objects more clearly. However, if strabismus is detected early on, children can be cured and their vision can be protected through a number of safe and effective treatment options, including:.

The good news is that if it is treated early, strabismus can be cured and permanent vision loss can be prevented.

Concerns and treatment for crossed eyes. However, if strabismus is detected early on, children can be cured and their vision can be protected through a number of safe and effective treatment options, including: Eye patching. Eye patches are worn over the unaffected or straight eye blocking out all light, forcing the use of the misaligned eye.