Infantile strabismus and the timing of ophthalmology referral

The concern, as the mother puts it

The mother of a newborn infant is concerned because her baby's eyes are sometimes crossed. That is the whole of the concern, and what is asked of it is not what the crossing is but when it should be sent on.

What is expected in the first months, and what is not

In many normally developing infants there may be imperfect coordination of eye movements and alignment during the early days and weeks of life. So intermittent crossing during those early days and weeks is not by itself a reason for referral.

Proper coordination should be achieved by age 4 to 6 months. What requires evaluation is persistent deviation of an eye in an infant.