Cortical Visual Impairment : A Review

Cortical visual impairment is the leading cause of visual impairment in children in western countries. Cortical visual impairment does not have implication as rehabilitation varies with or without cortical blindness. Knowledge in this area is scarse, thus the aim of this article was to review the various causes and treatment strategies of cortical visual impairment. Cortical visual impairment Cortical visual impairment (CVI) is the leading cause of bilateral visual impairment in children in western countries1-3. CVI is a neurological disorder resulting in bilateral impairment of visual acuity caused by damage to the CNS, meaning visual acuity is reduced as a result of non-ocular diseases3. children showing abnormal visual responses that cannot be attributed to the eyes themselves. Brain dysfunction must explain the abnormal visual responses, as abnormal ocular structures, abnormal eye movements, and refractive error do not. Fixation and following, even to intense stimulation, may be poor and the child does not respond normally to people's faces. Visual regard and reaching (in the child with motor capabilities) toward objects is absent.