Components of service delivery for the detection, care and management of children with cerebral visual impairment: a scoping review

Abstract

Abstract Objective To identify and report common elements of cerebral visual impairment (CVI) service delivery across international settings around the detection, management and care of children with CVI. Design Scoping review. Data sources 12 electronic databases from inception, alongside a call for evidence. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies English-language studies involving children with CVI, carers or professionals involved in the delivery of services for children with CVI conducted in Organisation for Economic Co-operation (OECD) countries. Results 108 studies/reports were included, spanning 14 countries. Almost half were published within the last 3 years (2023–2025). Results are presented across six service delivery stages. Several overarching themes were identified, including the requirement of a multidisciplinary team approach with effective collaboration and communication; however, the lack of standardisation of definitions/diagnostic criteria hinders diagnosis and service access. Conclusions This scoping review highlights a service landscape for CVI which is characterised by increasing recognition but persistent structural weaknesses which undermine detection, access to and coordination of care and support. Included studies were not appraised for risk of bias, therefore limiting the confidence that can be placed on the conclusions of individual studies, including their implications for policy and practice. No costs/health economic studies were found, highlighting the need for more evidence.Across healthcare, education and habilitation settings, the literature consistently identifies system-level gaps in professional competence, identification infrastructure, information transfer, outcome measurement and service development.