Statement on Cortical Visual Impairment

Eye gaze and pupillary response in Angelman syndrome

“…One possible explanation for the social processing deficit seen in our AS group is Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI), a common phenomenon seen in individuals with intellectual disabilities or neurological problems (Sheldon, 2014). CVI is impairment in visual processing that is not the result of ophthalmologic impairment and is distinct from the mechanical features of the eye (Roman et al, 2010). Considering the negative impact of CVI on a wide range of visual processes including but not limited to poor visual attention (Jan, Groenveld, Sykanda, & Hoyt, 1987), difficulties interpreting complex visual scenes (Dutton, McKillop, & Saidkasimova, 2006;Roman-Lantzy, 2007), and variability in contrast (Good, 2001), it must be considered as a potential method for explaining the social processing deficit seen in our AS group.…”

A Survey of Parents of Children with Cortical or Cerebral Visual Impairment

“…Finally, the results show that the parents perceived that the misunderstanding among professionals that CVI will fully resolve and that the children will no longer be considered visually impaired is again due to the lack of knowledge and understanding of the disability in the field of visual impairment. The literature shows that nearly all children with CVI will demonstrate improved vision, but that children should still be considered to have CVI if they meet the parameters of the definition (Roman et al, 2010) and thus be given all the supports, modifications, and accommodations that are necessary for the children to learn to the best of their ability.…”

Comments

“…Both terms use the anatomical location as a classifier of the condition. A statement in this journal (Roman et al, 2010) defines CVI as impaired vision due to disorders in the optic radiations and/or visual cortex of the brain, to differentiate it from ocular visual impairment, caused by ocular problems. Since the optic radiations are not part of the cortex, and since periventricular leucomalacia (injury to white matter of the brain-the tissue containing nerve fibers) is a frequent finding in children with CVI, the anatomical designation "cerebral" is the more inclusive term.…”

“…In the context of education and rehabilitation, the focus often is on more complex visual behaviors that reflect the interpretation of visual images and eventually allow for visually guided behavior. The report mentioned earlier (Roman et al, 2010) lists a number of these higher order dysfunctions. This author favors the term dysfunction for the disruption of these higher visual functions, since using a separate term emphasizes that the effects of cerebral dysfunctions are very different from those of simple disorders such as diminished visual acuity and visual field, and require very different rehabilitative approaches.…”