Vision is the least developed of a newborn's senses. The area of the brain involved with vision is developing rapidly for the entire first 6 months of life and continues at a slower rate after 6 months of age.

Scientists are learning that young children’s eyes can be particularly vulnerable to "blue" light in the visible light spectrum, which can be harmful because, unlike certain other types of light rays, it is not filtered by the cornea and lens before it reaches the retina at the back of the eye.

Fortunately, the biofactor lutein can act as “Mother Nature’s sunglasses” to help protect and shield young eyes by filtering the harmful blue light. In addition, lutein can provide infants with antioxidant protection for the eyes.

Attention has also focused on the biofactor DHA, which is a major component of the lipids—or fats—found in the retina of the eye.  Studies have shown that babies fed an infant formula fortified with DHA have better visual acuity than babies fed formula without DHA.  In fact, one study showed that babies fed DHA-fortified formula had better visual acuity—equivalent to an entire line on an eye chart—at 12 months of age than babies fed standard formula.

Because the body can't make its own lutein, babies must obtain lutein through their diet. The body can make its own AA and DHA, but young babies may benefit from a dietary source. Lutein, AA, and DHA are present in breast milk and are found in Wyeth's infant formula.