Cerebral Visual Impairment Education: Training and Current Practice Patterns of Optometrists and Ophthalmologists.

This article focuses on the current state of education and training regarding cerebral visual impairment (CVI) for optometrists and ophthalmologists. CVI, defined as a visual dysfunction caused by brain pathology rather than ocular impairment, is the leading cause of visual impairment in developed countries. Surveys of 48 program directors and 334 practicing eye care professionals revealed that less than half of training programs provide formal didactic instruction on CVI, typically limited to 1–2 hours, with minimal clinical exposure to patients with CVI. Most practitioners reported moderate familiarity with CVI but infrequent diagnosis in clinical practice, highlighting a gap in education that may delay early diagnosis and intervention. The study concludes that enhanced didactic and clinical training in CVI is essential to prepare eye care providers for timely diagnosis and management, thereby improving outcomes for affected children.