[The development of visual function]

Development of vision mainly takes place during the first year of life. Visual function cannot be restricted to the measurement of visual acuity. Indeed it is a plural function including functions of environment exploration, relative appreciation of objects, control of body position and movements organization, acquisition of knowledge and communication. From an analytical point of view visual function comprises sensorial (such as visual acuity), cognitive (cerebral processing of sensorial information) and oculomotor elements. Synthetically it may be seen as a neuro-visual loop organized around the eye, by turns sensor (vision) and effector (look). This neurovisual loop representation is of interest as it allows better recognition and analysis of the neurovisual pathologies encountered in children with cerebral injuries, especially former premature infants.