Cortical development and visual function

Hypotheses are advanced regarding some of the processes underlying the development of an accurate retinotopic map in striate cortex, and the development of cortical magnification. In the first case it is suggested that competitive pruning of afferent synapses may be important in the increase in grating acuity seen in infancy, and that this process may be disrupted in anisometropic amblyopia. In the second it is argued that the development of vernier acuity in infancy may reflect changes in cortical magnification, and that this may be due to increasing functional independence of the columnar units in striate cortex.