Profiling Children With Cerebral Visual Impairment Using Multiple Methods of Assessment to Aid in Differential Diagnosis

Abstract

Cerebral (cortical) visual impairment (CVI), the primary cause of visual impairment in children in high-income countries, is increasing globally due to improved life-saving measures for premature and full-term infants. Yet the consequences of this condition are only beginning to be understood and addressed. According to the topography, site, and the extent of the pathology, the deficit may variably concern central visual functions, visual field, perception of movement, visual analysis, visual exploration, attention, or visual memory, as well as visual guidance of movement. Each affected child has a unique clinical picture, which needs to be identified and individually profiled. This is probably the underlying reason that CVI is commonly underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, especially in children, and, as a consequence, the full range of potential behavioral outcomes are not identified and adequately addressed. The present paper shows how the use of multiple methods of assessment can improve understanding of children with CVI.