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Scoring Guidelines©: Visual Behaviors

Discuss the child's visual behaviors, which may reveal potential vision issues. Do you or the caregiver notice any unusual behaviors? Please select all that apply.

The questions are categorized by age groups: 
  • For children 1 to 3 months, answer question #1 only.
  • For children 3 to 12 months, answer questions #1-13.
  • For children 12 to 18 months, answer questions #1-16.
  • For children 18 months or older, answer all questions.

A "Yes" response to any of questions #1 through #5 indicates a non-urgent follow-up with a pediatric ophthalmologist. Similarly, two or more "Yes" responses to any of questions #1 through #17 also require a non-urgent follow-up with a pediatric ophthalmologist.

Visual Behaviors Questions

1.   Does your child have trouble making eye contact with you for at least 3 seconds?
2.   When looking at something, does your child frequently tilt or turn their head, lift or lower their chin, or move their head forward or backward?
3.   When looking at something, does your child always hold it very close to their eyes (within 1-4 inches)?
4.   Does your child have trouble seeing small things like lint or a small piece of cereal?
5.   When looking at something near or far, does your child frown, squint, or cover an eye?
"Yes" response to any of questions #1 through #5 indicates a Non-Urgent Concern.
6.   When looking at something, does your child look over, under, or beside the person or object instead of looking straight at it?
7.   Does your child prefer looking at overhead lights or windows instead of people or toys?
8.   Does your child have trouble knowing who people are until they hear their voices?
9.   Does your child recognize a familiar toy only after touching or hearing it?
10. Does your child only see an object when it’s alone? i.e., they often can't find a specific toy among other objects.
11. Does your child notice people, pets, or objects only when they are moving?
12. Does your child frequently look away or turn their head when reaching for something nearby?
13. When reaching for something nearby, does your child reach past it or not far enough to get it?
14. Does your child have trouble noticing when the floor changes, like from tile to carpet?
15. Does your child often stumble over things, bump into objects, or have trouble seeing steps or curbs?
16. Does your child avoid looking at or pointing to pictures in books or on a screen?
17. Does your child have difficulty finding small details in pictures (like pointing to a dog’s nose)?
Two or more "Yes" responses to any of questions #1 through #17 is a Non-Urgent Concern.

Visual Behaviors - Summary Result for Scoring Rubric©

Choose the appropriate summary result to carry forward to the Scoring Rubric©.
No Concerns.
Non-Urgent Concerns.

A Shared Vision: Partners in Pediatric Blindness & Visual Impairment

EIN 81-4227664