The research methods used in visual deprivation studies, such as suturing a kitten's eye closed, raise significant ethical questions. From an animal advocacy perspective, these procedures can be viewed as cruel and abusive. This view is often weighed against the potential for profound medical benefits, such as developing treatments to prevent blindness in human infants and children. This conflict creates a complex ethical dilemma, prompting consideration of different perspectives, such as those of a researcher, an animal welfare advocate, or the parent of a child who could benefit from the research.