10 month old's eyes unfocus

My 10 month old son has just started to have these episodes where now and then his eyes unfocus.  It is really wierd.  It looks like he has two "lazy eyes" is the best way I can describe it.  It only lasts maybe 10 seconds or so and no one else has been able to see it or catch it but me but it is scaring me and worrying me.  It happens only a few times each day. Usually when he is really tired.  But sometimes at other times when I can't find a reason why it would happen.  Do you have any cluse as to why his eyes would become unfocused like that?  It doesn't seem to effect him in any other way and he is not showing any other symptoms that worry me.

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. This could be due to strabismus. This is a misalignment of the eyes in which one or both eyes may turn inward, outward up or down. Amblyopia or lazy eye is when the vision does not develop normally during childhood. Usually the child has one weak eye with poor vision and one strong eye with normal vision. Strabismus is one common eye problem in children along with amblyopia. This usually results from failure of eye muscles to work together and amblyopia commonly occurs with strabismus. Hope this helps. Take an ophthalmologist consultation and all the best.

[loimmarmar]

Hello,
   As the dr stated yes those conditions could cause those symptoms but I need to add one more thing....First...does he follow well... meaning do the eyeballs follow well, do they jerk as he moves them to follow an object? Is in one or both...at the same time....in the same direction?...Do you see them flutter at all.....are there any muscle changes as this happens such as in when you have the baby in your arms and suddenly drop down as though they were falling reaction...kinda like the legs and arms reach out and stiffin for a second...I ask because you would not want to find out much later that it was a type of seizure....I do not want to scare you but just provide all possibilities so you do not feel lost in this search...If you think of something else or get some kind of results please let us know....You might get a video of it happening even if you need to look at his eyes for 24 hours straight because that would dictate what type dr you go to...opthamologist, neurologist or genetisist...and sorry for any typo...(brain freeze from all the stuff over the last 14 years)...Please let us know how he is doing...and yes you too!!!!    Have a wonderful Blessed Day!!!!!    GOD BLESS!!!!     loimmarmar

[KristenJJ]

First thank you both for your responses...but to loimmarmar:

Yes he follows objects with both eyes just fine...he focuses on toyes and people and everything well... his eyes react to a light shining in them (pupils retract and dilate normally) he doesn't stiffen or jerk or act like he is having seizures... he has NO other symptoms at all.  His eyes just go out of focus for a few seconds...both kinda to the side...it looks so strange...and then he's fine... He shows no signs of dizziness of that it bothers him.  And 9 times out of 10 when I have seen it happen it is when he is really tired and getting ready for a nap or just waking up from a nap.  The rest of the time I never see it happen and never see him do it.  And no one else has noticed it.  But I am so attentive to my twin boys that... I notice eveything.  I am not an overprotective or worrisome mother...but something like this does concern me.  I am going to call his doctor and I do plan to get him an appointment with either an ophthalmologist or a nuerologist...whichever his doctor deems best.  I just wondered if anyone had a guess as to what might be causing this.

His eye sight is great.  And as I said...in every other way...there is no abnormalities or other symptoms to cause alarm.  I am puzzled and still worried.  I will keep you informed as I find out any new information.

[KristenJJ]

Just an added comment to the two of you and anyone else you might comment to my question... Both my twins including my little guy who is having this issue...had an appointment with an eye doctor two months ago and went through a series of tests because both spent time on oxygen and one of them was in the NICU and on a ventilator for 9 days.... I was told this could have done damage to his eyes.  But the doctor said that everything was normal...  They have had regular visits with a pediatrician too because they have had a rough go being born early...and being twins they are at higher risk for some things but the doctor too has said they are above average in every way, healthy, and doing great...so this really came out of nowhere.  And as I said...his eye-sight is fine... he follows objects, no freezing up....his eyes don't roll ...his body doesn't jerk...there is only that strange unfocusing of his eyes...that makes him look...well...odd.  It isn't even like when my cousin has really mild seizures... her eyes unfocus and kinda roll a little and most people don't notice...but this isn't like that... I am really at a total loss.  I have never see anything like this.   But he seems fine...he is his happy energetic self...so?  Maybe I am worrying for nothing?  I am still making the doctor appointment and would still like to hear any other comments anyone has.  Thanks again!