Optimum VI Project

Childhood visual disorders affecting vision are usually diagnosed in the first year of life.  Lack of vision or very low levels of vision can affect all areas of general development and learning, such as delaying reaching early milestones.  The early years are therefore a very important time for assisting and supporting the development of children with visual impairment, in order to ensure the best possible progress in early development.  However there is still a great deal to be learned about the early development of babies and young children with severe visual impairment and also what kind of support for parents and babies or young children is most beneficial.  There are a number of different methods of early intervention and support available for babies and young children with visual impairment and we want to learn about which method may be the most helpful.

The Optimum VI Project is developed by the Developmental Vision service of Great Ormond Street Hospital which is a clinical service supporting infants and children with severe visual impairment, led by Prof Naomi Dale (Principal investigator) and Dr Alison Salt.

This research study aims to learn more about the early development of babies and young children with visual impairment, and also how different methods of early intervention and care might influence this early development.


Socio-cognitive skills in school age children with visual impairment

About 4 in every 10,000 infants born each year in the UK will be newly diagnosed with severe visual impairment (VI) or blindness by their first birthday. While this incidence is low, the associated life-long burden of disability and its economic costs are high.

This is our first study to systematically look at the development of children with visual impairment in the age range of 8 to 12 years. The results of this study will tell us more about the progression of children with visual impairment in mid-childhood. The findings will inform us about the strengths of children with visual impairment and will highlight areas that might need extra help and intervention. This knowledge will be integrated into our clinical practice and will be used to inform families, educators and doctors.