MIT neuroscientists have identified significant anatomical changes in the white matter pathways of the brain related to visual processing in children who had congenital cataracts removed. Traditionally, it was believed that the brain’s ability to learn visual tasks diminished after age 6 or 7, restricting treatment opportunities. However, findings from studies led by Professor Pawan Sinha reveal that children over the age of 7 can effectively learn visual skills after cataract surgery. The researchers conducted scans using diffusion tensor imaging, unveiling alterations in brain structure that correspond with improved visual function.
In an analysis of 19 participants aged 7 to 17, they observed increased organization and growth of nerve fibers in the later stages of the visual pathway, crucial for higher-order visual skills like face recognition. While younger children showed quicker improvements, older ones also benefited, underscoring that visual recovery is possible at any age. Sinha advocates for expanded treatment access, emphasizing the brain’s remarkable plasticity. This research not only challenges established views on critical periods of visual learning but also highlights the importance of surgical intervention for vision restoration, as detailed in their study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
