What is the visual acuity of an average infant at birth?

The visual acuity of an average infant at birth is approximately 20/400, which indicates that infants are significantly nearsighted compared to adults. This level of visual acuity means that an infant can see objects clearly only at a distance of 20 feet, while an adult with normal vision can see the same objects clearly at 400 feet.

Newborns have underdeveloped visual systems, which include the retina and the neural pathways to the brain. Although they can detect light and motion, their ability to focus and see fine details is limited. As an infant grows and the visual system matures, their visual acuity improves rapidly, often reaching closer to 20/20 by the age of 1 to 2 years. The inability to see clearly at a distance contributes to the lower visual acuity measurement at birth. This foundational understanding is critical for recognizing the developmental stages of vision in infants.