The Dr. Bill Takeshita Foundation

Last Modified: Fri, 17 Aug 2007

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Vision is a learned and developed skill that requires patterned stimulation to the visual cortex. Nobel Prize winning scientists Hubel and Weisel discovered that patterned stimulation is necessary for the development of vision. They also demonstrated that the visual cells of the brain can continue to develop if stimulated within a critical time period but after that period, further stimulation does not promote the formation of more vision. Vision stimulation is a program of activities that specifically attempts to stimulate the cells of the brain and should not be confused with eye muscle exercises that are used to treat weak muscles. One of the main goals of vision stimulation is to develop the central vision. The central visual system provides information that allows children to identify objects and to guide the hands and fingers to work with the visual system. The development of central vision, awareness of visual space, and eye hand coordination can promote the development of reaching, crawling, and even walking. Vision stimulation programs are generally prescribed by pediatric low vision optometrists and require the assistance of parents who can incorporate the activities as part of the children’s daily lives.

Children 5 years of age and younger may benefit from vision stimulation. Infants born with cortical vision impairment, delayed visual maturation, optic nerve hypoplasia, and other congenital vision problems will benefit from maximal stimulation to the visual centers of the brain every day. The first 5 years of life are the most critical years of vision development. Parents and caretakers should incorporate the principles of vision stimulation in the daily lives of their children by using black and white objects, color patterns, geometric shapes, and other visually stimulating toys. It is important to present visual toys to children at the appropriate developmental age. For example, infants 3 months old will benefit most from the use of black and white patterns rather than pastel colors and picture books. For more information on vision development, see "Developing Your Child’s Vision" and "Vision and Lighting".