Visual acuity, its development and amblyopia

Abstract

The following four conclusions may be made from the experiments described: High visual acuity is provided by sustained-X cells in the area centralis of the retina. The high foveal visual acuity develops postnatally. Amblyopia is an arrest of development of sustained-X cell function. Amblyopia is caused by habitually blurred images at the visual axis during the critical period of development. These conclusions perhaps lead to the following clinical implications: Correction of refractive and squint errors in infants should be made as early as possible. Penalization should be used with caution to prevent amblyopia in the good eye during the critical period of development which we suggest to be within the first two years of life.