Unveiling Development of Face Perception Ability for Congenital Cataract Subjects using Functional Connectivity

Face perception is a central component of human visual cognition, yet its development following early visual deprivation is not fully understood. This study examines how congenitally visually deprived children acquire and refine face perception skills after sight-restoration surgery. Newly Sighted Subjects (NSS), divided into age-stratified Group A and Group B, were assessed longitudinally using behavioral measures and high-density EEG-based functional connectivity analyses. Both groups exhibited enhanced neural connectivity during follow-up assessments relative to the immediate post-operative period, indicating rapid adaptation and learning in the weeks following surgery. Behavioral performance similarly improved over time, demonstrating increased acuity and accuracy in face recognition tasks. These findings provide compelling evidence that face perception skills can develop post-surgically and are influenced by visual experience rather than solely by early sensory input. The results underscore the remarkable plasticity of the developing human visual system and suggest that neural circuits underlying complex object recognition remain capable of functional adaptation even after extended deprivation. This work highlights the potential for targeted interventions and rehabilitation strategies to support perceptual development in children with delayed visual experience, offering insights into the mechanisms of experience-dependent learning and neuroplasticity.