So, what is CVI? CVI stands for Cerebral Visual Impairment or in USA – Cortical Visual Impairment. It is the leading cause of childhood blindness and low vision. CVI is a lifelong, brain-based visual impairment, caused by damage to the brain’s visual pathways or visual processing areas.
People with CVI can struggle with visual attention and visual recognition, making it difficult to understand the world around them. Some people with CVI can see the world as distorted and unrecognisable. Others can focus, but might struggle to understand what they see. A crowded environment, a bright sunny day, or tiredness can have a huge impact on the individual’s vision.
Although there are some common traits, CVI manifests differently in everyone. Some people have trouble with facial recognition, hand-eye coordination, or combining vision with other senses. People’s experiences with CVI may change over time, as the condition is lifelong, they often develop unique compensatory skills to manage their visual world.
Why is CVI often misunderstood?
People commonly associate blindness and low vision with ocular (eye) impairment. But CVI is a neurological issue, where the brain has trouble processing what the eyes can see. Some people with CVI have perfectly healthy eyes, which can cause diagnostic confusion.
There is growing research that suggests many people with CVI also have overlapping conditions, such as cerebral palsy, autism, or Down Syndrome, which makes diagnosis challenging. This is because many of the behaviours presented by CVI also relate to existing diagnoses.
How can we make it easier for someone with CVI to see?
‘Make It Easier’ is a set of three-word prompts that can help a person with CVI access the world, visually. Over time, we can use the ‘Make It Easier’ method to discover the best way to support that young person with their vision.
| Visual difficulty | How to make it easier to see |
| Problems seeing multiple objects | Just one thing |
| Problems with visual search | Clear the clutter |
| Lower visual field inattention | Show it high |
| Right side (or left side) inattention | Better on left (or right) |
| Problems seeing moving objects | Keep it still |
| Variable visual attention | My vision varies |
| Short periods of visual attention | Keep it short |
| Poor acuity, blurred vision, problems with contrast | Big bold bright |
| Delay in switching on or using vision | Give me time |
How Seashell can help
Seashell Trust is a UK-leading disability charity and specialist in supporting children and young people with complex difficulties, disabilities and additional communication needs. We have harnessed this unique expertise to create a range of specialist assessment, support and disability training services that we provide to families and organisations across the education, health and care sectors. We even offer sensory training services to support people living with sensory impairments like CVI.
To find out more about what we do and who we are, don’t hesitate to get in touch on 0161 610 0100 or email us at info@seashelltrust.org.uk.
Written by Veena Ramrakhiani.
Qualified Teacher of Multi-Sensory Impairments/ Deafblindness; Seashell Sensory Support Team
