Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI - aka Cerebral Visual Impairment) is a brain-based visual impairment caused by damage to the visual pathways or visual processing areas of the brain.

The eyes are often healthy, but the brain has trouble understanding what the eyes see.

It’s like the eyes are the camera, but the brain is the computer — and the computer isn’t processing the images clearly.

What is CVI?

Diagram illustrating how the eye works, featuring an eye transmitting visual information of an apple through the optic nerve to the brain's visual cortex. Detailed anatomy of the eye, including retina, cornea, lens, and optic disc, is shown, along with labeled brain regions like the lateral geniculate nucleus.

How does this affect Moira and her ability to see and learn?

A young child with blonde hair in pigtails, wearing pink glasses and a yellow shirt, smiling indoors with a hand reaching toward them.

The simple answer is that we don’t fully know yet. What we do know is that the brain is incredible and when treatment and therapy is started early, individuals with CVI can learn to process what they see in their own way. Every person living with CVI has a unique experience, and individuals will progress and adapt differently. There are many examples you can look up online showing what sight may look like for someone with CVI, but given it is caused by how the brain processes what the eyes are taking in we really don’t know for sure.

One of the key strategies we are currently using is Red and Infrared Light Laser Therapy at NeuroSolution Center of Austin. This is also known as photobiomodulation. After just our first session with them, we noticed Moira making more eye contact with us later that day!

RESOURCES

Links

Dr. Christine Roman - This site has a wealth of information from Getting a Diagnosis, 10 Characteristics, CVI Range & Assessment, CVI Services, Roman on CVI, and more.

CVI Scotland has a fantastic database of videos to help you learn all about what CVI is, what it is not, how the visual processing centers of the brain work, and how someone with CVI may interpret the world.

CVIessentials on Etsy has a whole host of books, flashcards and stickers geared toward children with CVI. (Disclosure: This is Moira’s mom’s shop)

Perkins School for the Blind - What is CVI?

Perkins School for the Blind - How is CVI Diagnosed?

Paths to Literacy - CVI and Literacy

Little Bear Sees - What is Cortical Vision Impairment?

Lighthouse Guild - Cortical Vision Impairment (CVI)

American Printing House for the Blind - What is CVI?

Wonder Baby - Top 8 Misconceptions about CVI

Books:

Little Bear Sees - lowest barrier to entry

Cortical Visual Impairment: An Approach to Assessment & Intervention

Cortical Visual Impairment Advanced Principles

Sensory Balance: An Approach to Learning Media Planning for Students with CVI

Vision and the Brain: Understanding Cerebral Visual Impairment in Children

CVI Books & Coloring books and newly added, FLASHCARDS

Cover of "My First Alphabet Book" by Rachel Worden, featuring an apple next to the letter 'A'. The title is multi-colored against a black background.
Cover of a book titled "CVI Friendly Coloring Book: Yellow-Outlined Animals" featuring illustrations of a koala and a monkey on a black background. Author's name is Rachel Worden.
Cover of "CVI Friendly Coloring Book: Spring" featuring a white rabbit and a bee outlined in red on a black background.
Cover of "My First Alphabet Book: Red Bubble Edition" featuring the letter 'A' with an image of an apple.
CVI Friendly Coloring Book cover featuring vehicles, includes outlines of a truck and a van, designed by Rachel Worden.
CVI Friendly Learning/Coloring Book cover titled "Numbers & Symbols" by Rachel Worden, featuring large yellow numbers and a plus sign on a black background.