Introduction
Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) has emerged as the leading cause of visual impairment in children in many developed and developing countries. With improved neonatal care and increased survival of preterm and high-risk infants, ophthalmologists, neurologists, rehabilitation experts and educators are encountering a rapidly rising number of children with CVI. Despite the growing prevalence, CVI remains underdiagnosed, frequently misunderstood and often inappropriately managed due to its multifactorial nature and the lack of standardized diagnostic criteria—especially in low- and middle-income settings.
This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research, clinical frameworks, multidisciplinary perspectives and practical rehabilitation strategies to create a comprehensive resource for clinicians, researchers, therapists and policy planners. The issue will address fundamental gaps in current understanding and provide guidance on assessment tools, neuroimaging advances, AI-assisted diagnostic approaches, early intervention models, educational strategies, and long-term outcomes.
Given the global rise in CVI burden, the thematic issue will fill an important void by highlighting evidence-based practices adaptable for diverse healthcare environments, including resource-limited settings. Emphasis will also be placed on integrating ophthalmology with neurology, occupational therapy, visual rehabilitation and educational neuroscience.
Keywords
Cerebral visual impairment, pediatric visual impairment, neuro-ophthalmology, visual function assessment, visual rehabilitation, neuroimaging, developmental vision disorders, cortical visual impairment, pediatric neurology
Sub-topics
Epidemiology and Global Burden of Cerebral Visual Impairment
Pathophysiology of CVI: Insights from Neuroscience, Neuroimaging, and Perinatal Risk Factors
Diagnostic Criteria and Frameworks: What Should Clinicians Use Today
Standardized Assessment Tools in CVI: Visual Function, Ocular Findings & Neurodevelopmental Evaluation
Role of Neuroimaging, EEG, and AI-Assisted Technologies in CVI Diagnosis
Early Intervention & Rehabilitation Strategies: From Visual Stimulation to Multisensory Integration
Educational Approaches and Classroom Adaptations for Children with CVI
CVI in Low-Resource Settings: Screening Models, Training Needs, and Scalable Protocols
Long-Term Outcomes: Visual, Cognitive, Motor, and Psychosocial Trajectories in CVI
Frontiers in CVI Research: Genetics, Plasticity, and Future Therapeuti
