VISUAL FUNCTION AND PERINATAL FOCAL CEREBRAL INFARCTION

Aims-To evaluate the visual function of infants with perinatal cerebra l infarction in whom the site and size of the lesion has been determin ed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods-Twelve infants with cerebral infarction on MRI were studied with a battery of tests speci fically designed to evaluate visual function in infancy. This included tests: for visual attention (fixation shifts); of cerebral asymmetry (optokinetic nystagmus, visual fields); for assessment of acuity (forc ed choice preferential looking); and neurophysiological measures of vi sion (phase reversal and orientation reversal visual evoked potential) . Results-A considerable incidence of abnormalities on at least one of the tests for visual function used was observed. The presence or seve rity of visual abnormalities could not always be predicted by the site and extent of the lesion seen on imaging. Conclusions-Early focal les ions affecting the visual pathway can, to some extent, be compensated for by the immature developing brain. These data suggest that all the infants presenting with focal lesions need to be investigated with a d etailed assessment of various aspects of vision.