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May 13, 2022: Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI)

Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) is one of the main visual impairments of children in the United States.  CVI is unique in the sense that it is a problem within the brain rather than the eye.  The brain cannot properly communicate the information from the eye because of damage near or at the time of birth.  According to the National Eye Institute, these damages may include a “lack of oxygen or blood supply to the brain—often because of a stroke, hydrocephalus (when fluid builds up in the brain), infections that reach the brain, head injury, or certain genetic conditions.”  In rare circumstances, CVI can be a result of a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) later in life.  No certain treatments have been discovered, but early interventions have been proven to improve vision.  For more information, please visit https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/cerebral-visual-impairment-cvi.