By 30 weeks, your baby's eyes have developed to the point where they can open and close, and they may start to sense changes in light. This development marks an important step in sensory development and prepares the baby for visual experiences after birth.
While the womb is dark, light can penetrate through the abdomen, allowing the baby to experience differences between light and dark. This stimulates eye development and prepares the baby for visual processing after birth.
Post-birth, you can support visual development by providing a range of distances and colors for your baby to focus on. In the womb, simply staying healthy and avoiding harmful substances is key to supporting overall fetal development, including the eyes.
Besides the ability to open and close their eyes, the baby's irises can now react to light, and the retina, which plays a critical role in vision, continues to develop.
There's nothing specific that you need to do differently at this stage of pregnancy for the baby's eye health, but continuing with regular prenatal care will help ensure that your baby's overall development, including the eyes, is on track. Any concerns about your baby's health or development should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
