Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI)

What is Cortical Visual Impairment?

Cortical Visual Impairment is one of the most

common eye impairments seen in children. This

impairment is not caused by an eye condition. It is caused by a disturbance in the visual pathway and function in the brain.The impairment can leave a person with minimal vision to no vision.

CVI can range from mild to server

CVI can range from temporary to permanent

Characteristics of CVI:

Characteristics can range from child to child.

  • Eye exam appears normal
  • Short visual attention span
  • Some light sensitivity
  • Light gazing
  • Close viewing of objects
  • Other neurological handicaps present
  • Looks away when reaching
  • Will listen rather than look

Some causes of Cortical Visual Impairments:

  • Head Injury
  • Brain Damage
  • Cerebral Tumor
  • Epilepsy
  • Malformation of the brain
  • Meningitis
  • Cardiac Arrest
  • Shunt Malfunction
  • Hypoxia/ Anoxia of the brain

Other Conditions associated with CVI:

  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Intellectual disability
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Microcephaly

Clinical Testing to diagnosis CVI:

  • ERG- Electroretinogram
  • EEG- Electroencephalography
  • VEP- Visual evoked potential
  • VEPM- Visual evoked potential mapping
  • FPL- Forced choice preferential looking
  • MRI- Magnetic resonance imaging positron emission tomography
  • SPECT- Single photon emission computed tomography
  • CT- Ultrasonography, computed tomography

Functional Vision Assessment:

Some children may benefit from a functional Vision Assessment which can include the following:

  • informal observations
  • collection of anecdotal records
  • interviews with parents and significant others
  • formalized and structured observations
  • informal screening using standardized vision screening materials

Instructional Strategies for Students with CVI:

  • High contrast and simple materials presented at one time.
  • Bright lighting to help keep the child’s visual attention
  • Use a multisensory sensory approach
  • Repetition and Routine

Treatment for CVI:

There may be a treatment for the underlying neurologic disease, and should be followed by a doctor. The best treatment for CVI is early intervention to help stimulate visual development.

References:

AAP.AAPOS. (2010). AAPOS :: Cortical Visual Impairment. American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Retrieved July 01, 2010, from

Ame

Ame American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. (2010, March 2). What is CVI? American Printing House for the Blind. Retrieved July 01, 2010, from

Dem

DD Demchak, M., Rickard, C., & Elquist, M. (n.d.). Tips for home and school Cortical Visual Impairment. University of Nevada, Reno. Retrieved January, 2003, from

Mor

Mo Morgan, S. (2002, July 30). Neurological Visual Impairment - Also Known as: Cortical Visual Impairment, Delayed Visual Maturation, Cortical Blindness. Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Retrieved July 01, 2010, from

Palm

Pal Palmer, C. (n.d.). CHILDREN WITH CORTICAL VISION IMPAIRMENT: IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATION (pp. 1-15, Rep.). School of Special Education and Disability Studies. Retrieved July 1, 2010.

Charlotte Conner, Regan Marburger, Sarah Mays, Kelly Hill, Christy Moody