The relation between visual orienting functions, visual perception, and functional vision in children with (suspected) cerebral visual impairment

Abstract

BackgroundBrain-based impairments in visual perception (VP), termed cerebral visual impairment (CVI), are heterogeneous. AimsTo investigate relations between functional vision and (1) visual orienting functions (VOF) and (2) VP. Methods and proceduresForty-four children (Males = 20; Mean age = 9y11m) with (suspected) CVI were tested with an adapted virtual toy box (vTB) paradigm (eye tracking visual search task (VST) and a recognition/memory task), VP tests, a preferential looking eye tracking (PL-ET) paradigm, and the Flemish cerebral visual impairment questionnaire. Relations were tested with Spearman correlations. Outcomes and resultsFunctional vision was related to VOF and VP. Children who performed poorly on the VST performed worse on the PL-ET paradigm (r success rate = 0.508–0.654; r reaction time (to fixation) = 0.327–0.633; r fixation duration = 0.532; r gaze fixation area/error = 0.565). Faster VST reaction time was related to higher recognition/memory task accuracy (r = −0.385) and better object/picture recognition (r = −0.371). Higher accuracy in the recognition/memory task was related to better object and face processing (r = −0.539), less visual (dis)interest (r = −0.380), and better clutter and distance viewing (r = −0.353). Conclusions and implicationsIn CVI, VOF, VP, and functional vision are interlinked, and when one is impaired, it negatively affects the others. Hence, quantitatively profiling basic functioning, higher-order and daily life abilities is crucial.