What is cerebral visual impairment (CVI)?

Cortical visual impairment, also called cerebral visual impairment (CVI) is a “brain-based visual impairment caused by damage or interruption to the brain’s visual pathways.” Both children with eye conditions and kids with healthy eyes can have CVI since the issue is with the brain’s interpretation, not the eyes themselves. They have trouble processing what those eyes can see. When a child’s visual challenges can’t be fully explained by what’s found in their eyes, CVI should be considered.

People with CVI experience a range of visual difficulties. These can include basic challenges, such as low visual acuity or reduced visual fields, as well as more complex challenges, such as trouble recognizing faces, navigating space, or focusing on more than one object at a time.

CVI often occurs alongside conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism, or dyslexia, which can make it harder to spot on its own.

For more information, see our full article Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) 101.