[MDVI patients - Multiply disabled visually impaired : On the situation of the child, parents and ophthalmologist with MDVI children].

Functional visual perception significantly contributes to the child's development and consists of much more than just visual acuity and the visual field. It includes cognitive interpretation of visual stimuli and runs along the temporal and parietal pathways of visual processing. Central visual impairment (CVI) usually affects otherwise healthy children with often good visual acuity, whereas the multiply disabled visually impaired (MDVI) have visual impairment and multiple disabilities. In MDVI patients an ocular and/or CVI can be present. The examination of MDVI patients poses a great challenge for the ophthalmologist and reflective visual test procedures should also be used. Particular attention should be paid to refraction and accommodation. The main ocular diagnosis in MDVI is optic atrophy and the general diagnoses are dominated by sequelae of premature birth, often in combination with spasticity and epilepsy. Early intervention is essential and is independent of the underlying diagnoses.