Research into brain growth in babies indicates that prolonged sensory deprivation during early periods of cortical growth will result in a permanent pruning of those brain areas. Babies will either never learn to use those areas, or they will suffer a permanent forgetting.

Some encouraging research with cats (though not encouraging for the individual cats) has shown that, with sufficiently early intervention and with intensive training, some of this pruning can be overcome. Total function hasn't been restored, but some sight is surely better than none.

Stevie Wonder has been blind a long time. It may not work for him. But he has the money, and the time, to devote to therapy afterward. He also has the spotlight, so whatever happens can be used as an opportunity to advertize the results of medical research. As an artist he has shown himself willing to lend himself to causes. He can champion restoration of sight; he may have to settle for championing early, early intervention on behalf of very young children.