'vision-friendly' is a modern English compound formed from 'vision' and 'friendly'. 'Vision' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'visio' (from 'vidēre'), where the root meant 'to see'. 'Friendly' originates from Old English 'frēond' (friend) with the adjectival suffix '-lic'/'-ly', where 'frēond' meant 'one who is attached' or 'friend'.

'vision' passed into Middle English via Latin and Old French as 'visio/vision', while 'friendly' developed from Old English 'frēond' + adjectival endings (Middle English 'frendly'). The combination into the hyphenated modern compound 'vision-friendly' arose in recent decades (20th–21st century) with growing attention to design and accessibility.

Initially the component words meant 'sight' (vision) and 'characteristic of a friend' (friendly). Over time their compound sense became a technical/descriptive adjective: 'suited to human vision' or 'supportive of visual accessibility', especially in design and accessibility contexts.