Frequently Asked Questions

Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) is an umbrella term for visual difficulties caused by the visual areas in the brain, rather than the eyes themselves. In children, CVI can affect their learning, social skills and friendship, and anxiety levels. It can affects adults in similar ways.

The underlying cause for visual processing difficulties is not always known for every patient.

CVI can be associated with premature birth, lack of oxygen in early development, cerebral palsy, Down’s Syndrome and neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism, dyspraxia and dyslexia.

CVI can also develop later in life as a result of brain tumours, stroke, multiple sclerosis and dementia.

Any adults or children who experience visual difficulties related to brain-related conditions could benefit from a CVI assessment.

Adults and children with CVI have difficulties processing the visual world around them. As a result, they perceive the world differently to those without CVI.

Most people with CVI find it hard to describe or understand their visual difficulties, because these difficulties are unconscious brain processes.

In a CVI assessment the visual difficulties are identified and explained, and suitable interventions are explored to overcome these difficulties.

The diagnosis of CVI is usually a team effort of a number of health care professionals. 

In each child, the visual difficulties present in different ways, depending on many factors, including the underlying nature of the visual impairment.

Teachers or parents of children may have noticed that a child appears to have difficulties with concentration and focus, or that they often startle, struggle with social interactions or get upset in busy environments.

Visual difficulties can be assessed and addressed without a formal diagnosis of CVI.

In adults, CVI can be a longstanding condition since childhood, in which case the underlying cause is not always clear.

In some cases CVI develops after brain injuries, tumours, stroke or haemorrhages, or it can develop in conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease or cortical atrophy.

The visual difficulties manifest in different ways, but we often see that people with CVI easily loose things, feel more tired, struggle with independence and cannot read for long periods of time.

The visual difficulties can be assessed and addressed without a formal diagnosis of CVI.

Common difficulties we come across in our practice are:
- Only seeing one thing at a time
- Unable to control where to look
- Difficulties with reading and writing
- Finding going down stairs more challenging than going up
- Feeling overwhelmed in cluttered or busy environments

We understand that no two people with CVI are the same.
Our assessments are tailored to the individual using a range of approaches, and our support is personalised — targeted to what each person needs in their daily life, not just generic advice.