How Can Doctors tell When a Baby is Blind?
In older children and adults, blindness is somewhat easy to detect. However, this can be more difficult to diagnose in babies. There are different vision tests an ophthalmologist can perform to determine if an infant may have vision problems. These are the most common tests used: speaking with the parents, simple visual tests and full eye exams.
Speaking with Parents
The doctor will most likely speak with the parents about why they may suspect their baby has vision problems. They may have noticed the child not focusing on them when they speak to her. She may also stare off into space when different types of visual stimulation are going on right in front of her. If the parents have noticed this on a regular basis, the ophthalmologist will want to perform his own vision tests on the baby.
Simple Visual Tests
The doctor may attempt to get a reaction from the baby by using brightly colored toys or pictures. This is done by placing these items directly in front of the baby's eyes or face. He may also clap or snap his fingers in front of the babies face to see if she acts surprised at the sudden motion. If the baby does not seem to notice any change, further testing will be done.
Full Eye Exams
To check the condition of the eyes, the ophthalmologist will put medicated drops in them and examine them under special lighting. This allows the doctor to see the inside of the eyeball to search for any abnormalities that may cause blindness. It can also show how severe the visual problems may actually be. Once this test is completed, a determination can be made as to if or how the vision problems may be corrected.