The National Eye Institute (NEI) is partnering with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) on a CVI initiative with the goals to foster awareness, increase the CVI research pool, establish consensus on CVI and the diagnostic process, and build a CVI registry.
NIH published a working definition of CVI to support diagnosis, so clinicians can use this definition to better understand, recognize, and refer children suspected to have CVI.
“CVI is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits of visual function and functional vision that are caused by neurologic damage to visual pathways and processing areas in the brain” (Chang & Merabet, 2024).
NIH outline five elements to help clinicians identify CVI as
Chang, M. & Merabet, L. (2024). “Special Commentary: Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment Working Definition.” Ophthalmology, 131, 12, 1359 – 1365.
Gordon, S., Kerr, A., Wiggs, C., Chiang, M. F. (2024). “What Is Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment and Why Do We Need a New Definition?” Ophthalmology, 131, 12, 1357 – 1358
Learn about CVI and how it impacts access to learning, the environment, and skill development.
Presenter: Ilse Willems, M.Ed, TVI
Learn about NIH’s five-part working definition of CVI and the diagnostic criteria that can be used to meet each part of this definition.
Presenters: Melinda Chang, M.D., Margaret Reynolds, M.D., M.Sc. and Lauren C. Ditta, M.D.
Learn about clinical testing, questionnaires, screening tools, and functional vision assessments for CVI.
Presenters: Melinda Chang, M.D., Linda Lawrence, M.D., Arvind Chandna, M.D., and Sharon S. Lehman, M.D.
Learn about the services, recommendations, and resources to provide patients and their families after a CVI diagnosis.
Presenters: Rachel Bennett, M.Ed. and Lacey Smith, TVI
Explore the CVI Center’s video library on CVI Research and Clinical Practice with talks by Dr. Michael Chiang, Dr. Lotfi Merabet, Dr. Corrina Bauer, Dr. Glenn Prusky, Dr. Nicole Ross, Dr. Barry Kran.
Read current peer-reviewed research about CVI, the visual system, and the brain in our Research Library, which will continue to evolve as new research emerges.
“A patient is neither uncooperative nor untestable. It is the responsibility of the provider to create an environment where the patient can be successful.”
—Dr. Barry Kran, OD, FAAO
Dr. Nicole Ross, OD, MSc, FAAO, presents CVI, co-occurring ocular conditions, and how she evaluates and diagnoses CVI.
Dr. Barry Kran, OD, FAAO, shares how he evaluates children suspected of having CVI and his approach to working with patients, no matter their complexities.
Rooted in research, the Teach CVI tools screen for suspicion of CVI, and cover lower, middle, and higher visual functions. Leading medical professionals in the field use these tools in clinical assessment.
A comprehensive, research-based, and inclusive educational assessment tool for students with CVI, created by The CVI Center at Perkins.
Equip families in your care with the resources they need to navigate a CVI diagnosis. A timely diagnosis is the gateway to life-changing services for kids with CVI.
A comprehensive and trusted website rooted in research and centers the lived experiences of people with CVI and their families.
In-depth learning about CVI behaviors commonly evaluated and recognized by major theorists.
Find fact-packed, accessible information about starting EI, IFSPs, home routines, and emotional insights
Walks through the IEP process from beginning to end with CVI-specific explanations and advice.
…through education, innovation, and collaboration. Our approach is research-based and whole-child-focused. Join us!
A deep, trusted resource that centers CVI voices and follows
current research.