Cortical Visual Impairment

What Is Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment?

When children exhibit aberrant visual responses that aren’t caused by their eyes, cortical visual impairment (CVI) is identified. Fixation and following even to intensive stimulus may be weak when CVI is suspected, and the youngster may not respond properly to people’s faces.

The most prevalent cause of persistent vision impairment in children is congenital visual impairment (CVI).
Cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities are common side effects of CVI.
Partial eyesight recovery is feasible in many circumstances.

Is CVI The Same As Cortical Blindness?

CVI was previously known as cortical blindness. The phrase “blindness” is deceptive. Children with CVI often have some degree of eyesight, which may improve with time.

What Are The Causes And Symptoms Of CVI?

Causes

The following are some of the most common causes of CVI in newborns and young children:

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a kind of encephalopathy caused by a lack of oxygen in the brain (in the term-born infant)
PVL stands for periventricular leukomalacia (in the preterm infant)
Shaken infant syndrome causes traumatic brain damage, as do accidental head traumas.
Hypoglycemia in newborns, infections (such as viral meningitis), severe epilepsy, and metabolic disorders

Other factors to consider are:

Cardiac arrest
Twin pregnancy
Central nervous system developmental abnormality

Symptoms

The following are the most prevalent CVI symptoms seen by ophthalmic clinicians:

Abnormal light sensitivity.
A social look that is either blunt or avoidant
Bad Visual acuity
Generalized constriction, inferior altitudinal, and hemianopia deficiency are all symptoms of visual field loss.

Parents, schools, and low vision professionals have reported the following behaviors:

Visual reactions to the same stimuli that are inconsistent or variable
Reactions to known stimuli are better than responses to unfamiliar ones.
Visual duties are tiring you out.
When it comes to reaching, peripheral vision takes precedence.
Colored stimuli produce more reactions than black-and-white ones.
Moving stimuli need more visual attention than static stimuli.
The navigation vision is quite good.
In a “packed” array or against a busy backdrop, it’s difficult to notice an object or image.

Is CVI Treatable?

The primary care physician and pediatric neurologist should coordinate treatment for any underlying neurologic condition.

CVI can be diagnosed by a pediatric ophthalmologist, indicating that vision services are medically necessary. In addition, the pediatric ophthalmologist will diagnose and treat any eye medical disorders that may worsen vision.

The youngster should be sent to the appropriate local organization for a vision services examination. It is critical to begin early intervention to aid visual development. Treatment should begin as soon as feasible to optimize the benefits.

Early intervention programs may assist young children, while school-aged children may get services via their local school district.

Are Eye Examinations Required For Children With CVI?

Yes. Other visual abnormalities, such as structural eye disease, misaligned eyes, or the requirement for lenses, are common in children with CVI.

A pediatric ophthalmologist can check the eyes to see whether they’re healthy or if there’s something wrong with them that’s causing the vision problems.

Glasses or eye muscle surgery may be used to treat these linked problems, which can assist in improving visual function.