Sub-Saharan African Journal of Medicine

REVIEW ARTICLE
Year
: 2015  |  Volume : 2  |  Issue : 4  |  Page : 149--153

The importance of detecting delays in the development of visual functioning and signs of disorders of the eyes during the 1 st year of life: An African perspective


Adedayo Omobolanle Adio1, Olubunmi Temitope Bodunde2, Lea Hyvärinen3 
1 Department of Ophthalmology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria
2 Department of Ophthalmology, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria
3 Faculty of Rehabilitation Science, Technical University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany

Correspondence Address:
Adedayo Omobolanle Adio
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State
Nigeria

Normal visual functioning is related to cognitive, motor, and emotional development since typical children learn to use visual communication, to move, to talk, and to develop many activities they observe others using. Early detection of atypical visual functioning, particularly in the 1 st year of life can help avoid potentially life-threatening conditions and delays in development which may follow. This article discusses five visual developmental milestones during the 1 st year of life in a typical healthy infant. It also advocates using these milestones in a multidisciplinary approach to early intervention, which includes training of pediatricians and other stakeholders in contact with infants at every level. In addition to this, the development of a cadre of ophthalmic counselors to improve compliance and follow-up may be a cost-effective strategy for pediatric vision care in the developing countries today.


How to cite this article:
Adio AO, Bodunde OT, Hyvärinen L. The importance of detecting delays in the development of visual functioning and signs of disorders of the eyes during the 1 st year of life: An African perspective.Sub-Saharan Afr J Med 2015;2:149-153


How to cite this URL:
Adio AO, Bodunde OT, Hyvärinen L. The importance of detecting delays in the development of visual functioning and signs of disorders of the eyes during the 1 st year of life: An African perspective. Sub-Saharan Afr J Med [serial online] 2015 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];2:149-153
Available from: https://www.ssajm.org/article.asp?issn=2384-5147;year=2015;volume=2;issue=4;spage=149;epage=153;aulast=Adio;type=0