IMPACT OF CEREBRAL VISUAL IMPAIRMENT ON THE EVERYDAY LIFE OF CEREBRAL-PALSIED CHILDREN

A group of 43 patients suffering from cerebral palsy and cerebral visu al impairment was compared with a group of 24 cerebral palsy patients with normal visual acuity, with regard to a functional level in daily life. Four categories were considered: communication, emotional contac t, self-care and intelligence. Cerebral visual impairment-cerebral pal sy patients scored significantly lower in all categories than cerebral palsy patients with normal visual acuity. In the cerebral visual impa irment-cerebral palsy group, there was a higher frequency of tetrapleg ia compared with the group with normal acuity, but even after this pre dominance had been excluded, a significant difference remained. When d ealing with cerebral palsy patients, occurrence of cerebral visual imp airment must be taken into account. By initiating intervention program mes, one can prevent extra handicaps due to the consequences of dimini shed visual acuity.