Visual function in children with CVI. Version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Quantitative characterisation of visual function alterations in children with Cerebral Visual Impairment.
IRAS ID
155876
Contact name
Arvind Chandna
Contact email
Research summary
Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) is the most common form of bilateral visual impairment in children in the developed world and increasingly recognised as causing a broad spectrum of visual disability. It may range from complete blindness to significant, but discrete, daily life affecting manifestations, that are often not identified until late childhood.
We propose to conduct a comprehensive study to quantify visual function alterations in children with CVI, in order to develop individual management plans early in childhood, which will possibly prevent or improve predicted long-term visual problems.
A direct, but non-invasive method of steady state Visual Evoked Potentials (SSVEP) will be used. In this technique measurements of electrical brain activity generated in response to visual stimuli are performed. The visual stimulus is in the form of carefully designed images that are displayed in sequence on the computer screen, creating a short, black-and-white projection. By using various forms of the stimuli it is possible to quantitatively determine not only visual acuity or contrast sensitivity but also the higher visual functions, including motion perception and face recognition. This is of special research interest, as often patients with CVI, or their families, report difficulties with recognising familiar faces, especially in crowded, rapidly changing environments.
Results obtained from VEPs will be compared with parental responses to a question inventory, clinical examination, including psychophysical estimates of the visual function, in order to determine relation between objective clinical assessment and subjective parental responses.
With this research we are aiming to develop objective and evidence based clinical practice, in order to address and improve visual impairment in patients in their early childhood.REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/1293
Date of REC Opinion
14 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion