Cortical visual impairment in children: identification, evaluation and diagnosis

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Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) of the Visual Cortex with Wide-View Retinotopic Stimulation
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Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) of the Visual Cortex with Wide-View Retinotopic Stimulation

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Sharon S Lehman1

  • 1Division of Ophthalmology, Nemours Children's Clinic, Wilmington, Delaware 19803, USA. slehman@nemours.org

Current Opinion in Ophthalmology
|July 19, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Early identification of children at risk for cortical visual impairment (CVI) is crucial. Advances in diagnostic technology and evolving definitions aid in timely interventions for visual deficits.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric ophthalmology
  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental pediatrics

Background:

  • Cortical visual impairment (CVI) is a leading cause of childhood vision loss globally.
  • The understanding and diagnosis of CVI are continuously evolving.
  • Early detection and intervention are critical for managing CVI's impact on development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in the definition, risk identification, and diagnosis of CVI in children.
  • To highlight how new technologies and refined definitions can improve outcomes.
  • To emphasize the importance of early prediction and intervention for children with CVI.

Main Methods:

  • Development and testing of clinical questionnaires for CVI risk identification.
  • Utilizing advanced neuroimaging techniques (MRI, fMRI, DTI).
  • Employing electrophysiologic (sweep visual-evoked potentials) and perceptual testing.

Main Results:

  • Evolving CVI definition now includes motor planning and executive function deficits.
  • Neuroimaging and electrophysiologic tests refine the correlation between structural defects and functional deficits.
  • Clinical questionnaires are being validated to identify at-risk children.

Conclusions:

  • Recent developments facilitate earlier identification of children at risk for CVI.
  • Timely prediction of deficits and targeted interventions are essential for a child's developmental trajectory.
  • Advances support improved accommodations, services, therapies, and prevention strategies for CVI.
Abstract

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