# Explain CVI to grandparents and family

> CVI is a vision problem in the brain, not the eyes. The child can have healthy eyes and still struggle to make sense of what they see, more so when they're tired or the room is busy. Say your name, keep things simple, wait, and use words instead of pointing.

Updated 2026-10-04. Canonical: https://cviexplained.com/explain-to-family/

Thank you for reading this. It helps more than you know.

## What CVI is

CVI stands for cerebral (or cortical) visual impairment. The eyes can be healthy, but the brain has trouble making sense of what they send, so a busy room can turn into a jumble, and faces can be hard to recognize. How much the child sees can change from hour to hour with tiredness, noise and new places, and that's the CVI, not a choice.

It isn't blurry vision, and glasses don't fix it.

## Five things to do

1. **Say your name, every time.** "Hi Maya, it's Grandpa." Faces can be hard to recognize, even yours, even after years.
2. **Keep it simple.** One toy on a plain blanket. TV off while you play or talk.
3. **Wait.** After you show something or ask something, count to ten in your head. Don't repeat yourself or jump in to help.
4. **Use words, not pointing.** "Your ball is by your left foot." Not "It's right there."
5. **Name steps and edges.** "Two steps down." If the child visits your home, put bright tape on the edges of your stairs.

## Three things not to say

- **"You saw it yesterday."** Seeing changes day to day. Try: "You're tired today. Let me help."
- **"Look at me."** Looking takes real effort, and some kids listen better when they look away. Try: "It's Grandma. I'm right here, on your left."
- **"She looks like she can see fine."** You can't tell what a child with CVI sees by watching them. Ask the parents instead: "What helps her?"

## Two more tips

- **Warn before a hug or a kiss.** "Grandma's going to give you a hug." A face coming close out of nowhere can be startling.
- **Afternoons and evenings are often harder.** A tired brain sees less. Plan the big visit for when the child is rested.

## What helps our child most

Written by the parent:

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There's a five-minute film about CVI at [cviexplained.com/film](/film/). It's worth the time.

## Questions people ask

### She looks like she can see fine. Is it really that bad?

CVI is hard to spot from the outside. A child can see some things well and miss others, and how much they see changes with tiredness, noise and new places. Believe what the parents tell you.

### Will glasses fix it?

No. Glasses fix eyes, and CVI is in the brain. Some kids with CVI also wear glasses for a separate eye problem.

## Sources

- [National Eye Institute, Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI)](https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/cerebral-visual-impairment-cvi)
- [Perkins School for the Blind, How to talk to family and friends about CVI](https://www.perkins.org/how-to-talk-to-family-and-friends-about-cvi/)
- [Perkins School for the Blind, CVI Access to People](https://www.perkins.org/cvi-access-to-people/)
- [Perkins School for the Blind, CVI Response Interval](https://www.perkins.org/cvi-response-interval/)
- [Dagbjört Andrésdóttir, CVI phrases, what not to say and what is better to say instead](https://dagbjortandresd.wixsite.com/livingwithcvi/post/cvi-phrases-what-not-to-say-to-someone-with-cvi-and-what-is-better-to-say-instead)

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CVI Explained gives general information. It is not medical or legal advice and it does not diagnose.