cortical visual impairment
Vision dysfunction caused by damage to or malfunction of visual processing areas in the brain rather than the eyes themselves.
Full Definition
Cortical visual impairment (CVI) represents the most common cause of visual impairment in children in developed countries. It results from damage to or dysfunction of the visual cortex and associated brain areas responsible for processing visual information, while the eyes themselves may be structurally normal. CVI often occurs in children with neurological conditions such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, periventricular leukomalacia, or brain trauma. Characteristic features include inconsistent visual responses, preference for certain colors (often red and yellow), light gazing, visual field defects, and difficulty with visual complexity and crowding. Unlike ocular blindness, children with CVI may show improvement over time with appropriate intervention and visual stimulation programs.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from ocular causes; often abbreviated as CVI in clinical notes.
In Context
- "The child with cortical visual impairment showed improved visual attention following structured visual stimulation therapy." — Rehabilitation progress note
- "MRI findings of periventricular leukomalacia were consistent with the diagnosis of cortical visual impairment." — Neurological correlation report