Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 3, 2026

Development of a Gaze-Contingent Display Framework Designed for Perceptual and Oculomotor Research with Simulated Central Vision Loss
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Development of a Gaze-Contingent Display Framework Designed for Perceptual and Oculomotor Research with Simulated Central Vision Loss

Published on: April 11, 2025

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Functional vision and cognition in infants with congenital disorders of the peripheral visual system

Naomi Dale1,2, Elena Sakkalou2, Michelle O'Reilly2

  • 1Neurodisability Service, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|April 26, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Vision impairment in infants with congenital disorders is linked to cognitive delays. Early

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric ophthalmology
  • Developmental neuroscience
  • Clinical audiology

Background:

  • Congenital disorders of the peripheral visual system are a significant cause of visual impairment in infants.
  • Understanding the relationship between vision and cognitive development is crucial for early intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between vision and cognition in a national cohort of 1-year-old infants with congenital disorders of the peripheral visual system and visual impairment.
  • To assess vision levels and non-verbal cognitive abilities in infants with varying degrees of visual impairment.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional observational study of a nationally recruited cohort of infants (8-16 months).
  • Vision assessed using the Near Detection Scale; non-verbal cognition evaluated with the Reynell Zinkin Scales (sensorimotor understanding).
  • Demographic data collected via parental questionnaires.

Main Results:

  • 90 infants included: 28% with profound visual impairment, 72% with severe visual impairment.
  • Significant correlation found between Near Detection Scale scores and sensorimotor understanding developmental quotients (p<0.001).
  • Vision and age accounted for 48% of the variance in sensorimotor understanding; profound visual impairment, especially in complex cases, was associated with greater cognitive delay.

Conclusions:

  • Lack of vision is associated with delayed early object manipulative abilities and concepts.
  • 'Form' vision appears to support early developmental progress.
  • This study provides essential baseline data for ongoing longitudinal investigations into vision and cognitive development.
Abstract

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