Vision Loss Risk Factors & Behavioral Indicators

Vision Loss Risk Factors:

• Family history of vision loss
• Retinoblastoma
• Albinism
• Malformation of the ear, nose, and
  throat
• Prematurity and low birth weight (less than 3 lbs.)
• Birth trauma/head trauma
• Anoxia
• Cerebral Palsy
• Congenital viral or bacterial
  infections (Rubella, CMV,
  Syphilis, Group B Streptococcus
  Infection, Toxoplasmosis, Chicken
  Pox, HIV)
• Meningitis, Encephalitis,
• Hyperthyroidism,
• Hydrocephalus, Microcephaly
• Seizures

Vision Loss Behavioral Indicators:

• The child does not have eyes or eyelids that
  look typical.
• The child does not recognize caregivers’ faces
  or smile in response to their smiles around the
  age of 3 months.
• Child does not get excited at sight of bottle or
  other familiar objects (s)he likes.
• At 4-6 months, the child’s eyes do not seem to
  move together when following an object or
  person.
• Child turns or tilts head in unusual positions
  when looking at an object.
• The child may hold an object very close to
  his/her eyes.
• The child may over-reach or under-reach for
  objects (accurate reaching usually occurs
  around 6 months).