Developmental aspects in the assessment of visual function in young children.

The developmental aspects in the assessment of visual acuity in the preverbal child have been reviewed. Several investigative techniques indicate that visual acuity of infants increases significantly between birth and age 6 months. Transient oculomotor deviation in infancy must be differentiated from pathologic ocular conditions. Changes in refraction of the developing eye that occur normally and as a result of an ocular disorder must be recognized and managed early in the infant's life.