CVI is the leading cause of blindness and low vision in children. Caused by damage or interruption to the visual processing areas of the brain, CVI is still misunderstood and underdiagnosed. The system is failing kids with CVI. With more research, awareness and training, children with CVI can get a timely diagnosis and the rehabilitative services they need. The CVI Center at Perkins is urgently confronting the CVI crisis—bringing together medical professionals, educators, and families to ensure every kid with CVI has resources and support to learn and thrive.
1 in 30Recent research shows up to 1 in 30 kids in mainstream classrooms have CVI-related vision difficulties.
“The condition [CVI] has historically been under-recognized.” –NEI Strategic Plan: Vision for the Future
“CVI is a big condition, and patients come with a spectrum of issues they deal with. It’s not realistic to have a one-size-fits-all approach. We need better evidence-based tools and guidelines to do a better job of diagnosing, classifying the disease, and also managing the disease.” – Dr. Michael Chiang
“The way forward for CVI requires collaboration, innovation, and awareness building. Collaboration between vision care providers, neurologists, neuroscientists, patients, parents, educators, rehabilitation specialists, researchers, industry, and NIH institutes. Scientific innovation that includes big data, data sharing, and establishing standard data representation.” -Dr. Michael Chiang
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
Intersection of CVI and Ocular Clinical Assessment
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.
The CVI Perkins Protocol is a digital assessment tool rooted in research. The CVI Protocol generates a doctor’s letter based on results from a file review, student profile, and parent interview.
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.
CVI Now
A comprehensive and trusted website rooted in research and centers the lived experiences of people with CVI and their families.
Watch talks and webinars from researchers and clinicians in the CVI field. Read recent CVI scientific research. Explore current CVI studies.
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
Clinical assessment, investigation, diagnosis and initial management of cerebral visual impairment: a consensus practice guide. Pilling, et al. 2022 (link)
Prevalence of Strabismus in Premature Children With and Without PVL, Khanna, et al. 2022 (link)
The Multidisciplinary Guidelines for Diagnosis and Referral in Cerebral Visual Impairment. Boonstra, et al. 2022 (link)