Hidden Vision Loss in Paediatric Brain Injury: Lessons from Real Cases

Hidden Vision Loss in Paediatric Brain Injury: Lessons from Real Cases

Based on INNEG’s webinar: Cerebral Visual Impairment in Paediatric Brain Injury Claims

This guide was produced by INNEG and is based on key clinical insights shared during our webinar Cerebral Visual Impairment in Paediatric Brain Injury Claims, led by Professor Jane Ashworth, Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist

It is intended to support solicitors in recognising, evidencing, and analysing cerebral visual impairment (CVI) within paediatric brain injury claims and does not constitute clinical guidance or expert opinion on any individual case.

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Cerebral visual impairment is one of the most common - and most frequently missed - consequences of paediatric brain injury. Unlike eye-based conditions, CVI arises from damage to the brain’s visual processing centres, meaning standard eye examinations may appear normal while significant functional vision loss goes undetected.

This eBook draws on anonymised real-world case studies to show how CVI presents in practice, why it is often overlooked, and how missed or misunderstood visual impairment can materially affect liability, causation, and quantum. From unrecognised visual field defects and post-traumatic hydrocephalus, to cases where vision loss was wrongly attributed to negligence, each example highlights how assumptions about vision can either strengthen or undermine a claim.

Written specifically for solicitors, the guide provides a practical framework for reviewing medical records, identifying red flags in witness evidence, and instructing ophthalmic experts with greater precision. It explores how functional evidence - such as difficulties with stairs, cluttered environments, or variable visual performance - can be just as powerful as formal testing, particularly where standard assessments are inconclusive or unavailable.

This practical, solicitor-focused eBook supports early case strategy, helps avoid weak or unsustainable causation arguments, and ensures that hidden visual impairment is properly identified, evidenced, and costed - ultimately helping to secure fairer outcomes for children with brain injuries.

Watch the Full Webinar Here >