A survey of UK primary school children has shown that, on average, at least one in every class of 30 is affected by cerebral visual impairment (CVI)‐related vision problems.

The parents and teachers of 2,298 children aged five to 11 years were asked by University of Bristol researchers to complete questionnaires, while 5% of the respondents’ children were then assessed for CVI-related vision issues by an orthoptist. Of the mainstream-educated children tested, 31.5% had at least one and 10.5% had multiple CVI‐related vision problems.

CVI manifestations reported included reduced acuity (of non‐ocular cause), visual field defects, oculomotor disorders, abnormal crowding ratio, impaired motion detection and many visuo‐cognitive or visuoperceptual impairments. Just 15% of children with at least one CVI‐related vision problem showed reduced visual acuity. The paper’s authors noted, however, that, “Some authors regard reduced visual acuity as essential for the diagnosis of CVI, while others do not.”

Of the children assessed, 79% were receiving additional educational support, leading researchers to add that for some the children’s behaviour may indicate CVI and those CVI‐related behaviours may be misinterpreted as manifestations of autistic spectrum or attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorders.