Dysconjugate Eye Movements

During the first few months of life, newborns will frequently have dysconjugate eye movements, where the eyes appear to move independently. Eyes may transiently appear crossed or divergent. This phenomena is particularly noticeable when the infant is falling asleep or being woken from sleep. If the dysconjugate movement is fixed (one eye is always out, or always in, relative to the other), a pediatric ophthalmologist should be consulted. But if the movements are transient, it is a normal finding and will spontaneously resolve.

photo by Janelle Aby, MD