Ocular movement, or eye movement, is one of the first motor movements to develop in infants. It is one of the first sensory systems babies use to explore the world around them.
Visual tracking is the ability to visually track, or follow, an object or person with ocular (eye) movement in a horizontal or vertical plane, without having to move the head and neck.
The First 4 Weeks of Life
At this stage in life, babies can visually attend or focus on a colorful object momentarily. Hence the craze for the high contrast and stark primary colored toys, as seen below.
1-3 Months of Age
By the first month, a baby learns to stare and fixate on objects or people around them.
Between 1-2 months a baby is learning to track, but with limited range. Think of the range from ear to ear being 180 degrees. Their tracking at this age is limited to what is right in front of them, or their midline.
As their sensory systems develop, their curiosity and nervous system propels them to be able to track the full 180 degrees by 3 months of age.
Their visual tracking skills allow them to begin to visually scan their environment, looking from object to another.
Why it Matters
Visually scanning the environment helps the rest of the sensory system to develop. It makes them naturally curious about their environment. Visual tracking is the first component of visual motor skills, or hand-eye coordination.
If a child cannot track an object in their environment, everything that follows that skill will be super challenging. Moving eyes from one object to another and focusing on objects far and near will be delayed.
Fine motor skills such as reaching and grasping objects will also prove to be difficult. It is very much a snowball effect. Treating fine motor delays is much more than what is going on with the hands. Looking at the whole child is imperative for comprehensive care.
Torticollis and Visual Scanning
Torticollis, or neck tightness, is one of the most common reasons for poor visual scanning in infants. If a child has neck tightness, they will be restricted in visually scanning around them. The tightness may prohibit them from fully scanning one side of their body, which will also limit their physical activity on that side. These activities might include rolling, reaching, and decreased head control.
If You Suspect a Delay
If you suspect your little one is having trouble in this area, it is best to bring it up to your child’s pediatrician. Early intervention is key, especially if torticollis is involved. You can request a referral to an occupational or physical therapist who will be able to further evaluate the condition, and treat if necessary.
Resources
High contrast toys for infants on Amazon
What is the Vestibular System?
Conservative Treatment for Torticollis and Plagiocephaly
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