Answer:
Dear
Deborah ,
Normal
newborns will sometimes have eyes that wander from time to time, especially
when tired. This is not strabismus.
It is
normal for a newborn's eyes to move independently and at times.
Newborns
often have crossed eyes due to a lack of developed vision, but this
disappears as the infant grows.
Studies
of newborn babies have found that strabismus is not usually present
at birth but develops within the first month of life, as vision develops.
Many
parents are told that in the first three months of life, it is not
unusual for a baby's eyes to wander.
This
is partly true. It is not unusual for a baby's eyes to occasionally
wander outward, but if one or both of a baby's eyes turn inward during
this time period, especially if the eye is constantly turning in,
the baby should have an eye exam.
If it
wanders outward part of the time, it's probably okay to wait, but
if it is always turning outward and never straight then the baby should
have an eye exam.
If you
notice one or both of your baby's eyes wandering or crossing either
in or out after 3 months of age, your baby should have an eye exam.
Eye alignment
is normally unsteady at birth but by 3 months of age the eyes should
be straight.
Any infant
who continues to show an eye misalignment after 3 months of age should
have a complete eye exam.
