Update on Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) in Children

Cerebral/cortical visual impairment (CVI) occurs when there are abnormalities of visual function and functional vision due to neurological conditions that affect the post-geniculate visual pathways in the brain, while the ocular anatomy is normal or insufficient to explain the degree of visual dysfunction. CVI is a leading cause of pediatric visual impairment in low-, middle-, and high-resource countries, and its increasing incidence is commonly associated with increased survival of premature neonates. We present an overview of CVI definitions, etiologies, diagnostic strategies, methods to assess visual function and functional vision, and considerations for management in the context of a multidisciplinary team. We conclude with an update on current CVI research.