Exploring the Impact of Cerebral Palsy on Vision: Understanding the Prevalence and Importance of Early Detection and Treatment
Many studies show that up to 75% of children with cerebral palsy have vision issues. Early diagnosis and treatment of these issues is crucial for optimal emotional and cognitive development.
Our pediatric developmental eye doctor recommends that all children should undergo regular developmental eye exams so that interventions can be put into place as early as possible for those who need them.
Cerebral palsy can affect vision in a number of ways:
Difficulty with eye movement
Some patients with cerebral palsy may have difficulty with eye movements such as tracking or following moving objects. This can make it challenging to engage in activities such as reading or watching television.
Focusing problems
Some patients with cerebral palsy may have difficulty with focusing their eyes. This can lead to blurred vision or the need to strain to see clearly.
Double vision
In some cases, patients with cerebral palsy may experience double vision, or diplopia. This can be caused by problems with eye alignment or other issues with the muscles that control eye movement.
Strabismus
Strabismus, or misalignment of the eyes, is common in patients with cerebral palsy. This can cause the eyes to point in different directions and can lead to double vision.
Difficulty with eye-hand coordination
It is possible that some patients with cerebral palsy may have difficulty with eye-hand coordination, which can make tasks such as writing or using utensils challenging.
If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these visual symptoms and has cerebral palsy, it is important to see your neuro optometrist for a neuro-optometric evaluation. Take our online visual skills assessment to help identify if your child has a potential visual deficit that may be interfering with their vision Take our online quiz
