Key words Electrical breakdown in neon, optical measurements, stages of formative time delay, temporal and spatial development of glow discharge. PACS 52.70. Kz, 52.80.Hc The results of the investigation of the glow discharge time and space development in the neon-filled diode at 1.33 mbar are presented. The glow is of the diffusion type with saturation current value of 0.2 mA. The temporal development of the light intensity, emitted perpendicularly on the diode axis from many different parts of the diode, is registered. Using this temporal development, the spatial development of the emitted light is examined. Electrically registered (by the oscilloscope) the total current through the diode reaches the saturation for 1.5 ms, which corresponds to the classical presumption of the formative time delay. The prebreakdown current is registered measuring the emitted light from diode gap. The investigation of light shows the increase of excitation in the gap at least 3 ms before any significant current has been registered (I < 1 µA). The negative glow appears in the diode gap near the anode and in the next a few milliseconds covers the cathode indicating the presence of the multiplication processes in the diode. The stationary regime in the diode is established for about 10 ms. Using this detection method, three stages of the discharge formation can be easily distinguished. These results indicate that the prebreakdown processes in the diode gap can be associated with the first stage of the breakdown formation.