Retinal waves, also known as spontaneous activity, are patterns of activity in the developing visual system that occur before visual experience. These waves play a crucial role in the development of the visual system, providing the input necessary for the formation of neural circuits crucial for vision. There are several synonyms for retinal waves, including uncorrelated activity, spontaneous bursts, and spontaneous activity. These terms all refer to the same phenomenon of random patterns of activity that occur during development. Understanding the importance of retinal waves and their synonyms is fundamental to understanding how the visual system develops and functions.