Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) 

Cortical Visual Impairment

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Cortical (or sometimes called Cerebral,) Visual Impairment (CVI) is a disorder caused by damage to parts of the brain that process vision. It is most common in babies and young children but can continue into adulthood. 

CVI can not be explained by a problem with the eyes, instead the brain has trouble understanding the signals the eye sends to the brain. CVI is the leading cause of visual impairment in children in the U.S. In some cases, the vision of a person with CVI can improve over time. 

https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/cerebral-visual-impairment-cvi#:~:text=Cerebral%20visual%20impairment%20

What are some CVI friendly activities I can do at home? 

• Provide opportunities for your child to look at things without a lot of competing distractions. 

• Give your child toys and objects they are familiar with and like. 

• Use books, toys, and objects that are simple with high contrast. 

• Children with CVI typically like the colors red, gold, black, and white. Try to find the color your child prefers. 

• Keep things simple, do not over stimulate them with too many things at once. If they look tired, give them a break and try again later. 

CVI Resources

• Little Bear Sees https://littlebearsees.org

• CVI Friendly Videos https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resource/cvi-friendly-videos

• 5 Fun Easy Sensory Play Activities https://www.cvijourney.com/sensory-play-ideas

• 6 Ideas on reducing visual fatigue in children with CVI https://www.perkins.org/resource/6-big-ideas-to-help-to-reduce-visual-fatigue-in-children-with-cvi

• CVI Fact Sheet for Families and Professionals https://education.mn.gov/mdeprod/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&dDocName=MDE033739&RevisionSelectionMethod=latestReleased&Rendition=primary