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Australian children with cerebral visual impairment: using what we know now to improve future approaches
Susan Silveira1,2, Natalia Kelly3, Rosa Wright4
1NextSense, NextSense Institute, North Rocks, NSW.
Insights
This audit of Australian children with Cerebral Vision Impairment (CVI) found most had blindness and were diagnosed early. Many experienced additional health issues and developmental delays.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Cerebral Vision Impairment (CVI) is a significant cause of visual impairment in children.
- Limited data exists on the prevalence and characteristics of CVI in Australian children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To audit and present findings on children with a primary diagnosis of Cerebral Vision Impairment (CVI).
- To utilize data from the Australian Childhood Vision Impairment Register (ACVIR) for this audit.
Main Methods:
- Reviewed records of 132 children from the ACVIR.
- Analyzed demographics, vision impairment levels, birth history, diagnostic timelines, ocular diagnoses, comorbidities, and support.
- Investigated correlations between vision, age of diagnosis, and developmental delay using Kendall's tau-b analysis.
Main Results:
- 39% of children had blindness; most were diagnosed within the first six months of life.
- 48% had secondary ocular diagnoses (e.g., nystagmus in 44%); 80% had additional health problems.
- 85% had additional disabilities, with 79% experiencing developmental delay.
Conclusions:
- Findings highlight the significant challenges faced by Australian children with CVI.
- Encourages further research into comprehensive assessment and timely diagnosis of CVI.
Purpose:
Little has been reported on Australian children with Cerebral Vision Impairment (CVI). This paper aims to present the outcome of an audit focussed on children with the primary diagnosis of CVI, using findings from the Australian Childhood Vision Impairment Register (ACVIR).
Methods:
Records on 132 children (49% girls, 51% boys) from ACVIR data gathered from both the child's parent/guardian and their eye health professional were reviewed. The child's demographics, level of vision impairment, birth history, diagnostic journey, secondary ocular diagnoses, comorbidities and low vision support were analyzed. Several correlations were investigated using a Kendall's tau-b analysis including the relationship between vision and age of diagnosis; level of vision and developmental delay; and age of suspicion of visual impairment and age of diagnosis.
Results:
The most common level of visual impairment was blindness (39%), and most children were suspected and diagnosed of visual impairment in the first 6 months of life. The majority of children were born full term (72%), weighing >2000gms (84%). Nearly half of the cohort of children (48%) had a secondary ocular diagnosis with 44% having nystagmus. The majority of children (80%) had additional health problems, and 85% of children had additional disabilities, with 79% having developmental delay.
Conclusion:
While the findings of this audit cannot be generalized to a wider population of Australian children with CVI, the outcome encourages continued discussion on CVI, to explore comprehensive assessment approaches which facilitate timely and accurate diagnosis.
