Background
The Cerebral Palsy and Visual Morbidity Study is a collaborative research initiative led by CSF Global, in partnership with the Bangladesh Cerebral Palsy Register (BCPR), Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation, and the University of Sydney, Australia.
The study explores the link between cerebral palsy (CP) and visual impairments among children in Bangladesh — an area that has received limited attention in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Aim
To determine the prevalence and types of visual impairments among children with CP in Bangladesh.
To identify risk factors and clinical correlates associated with visual morbidity in CP.
To understand the impact of visual deficits on development, daily functioning, and quality of life.
To inform early intervention and rehabilitation strategies within CSF’s community-based programs.
Outputs
Over 50% of children with CP were found to have some form of visual impairment.
The most common conditions include refractive error, strabismus, and cortical visual impairment (CVI).
Visual morbidity is strongly correlated with the severity of motor impairment and the presence of brain injury patterns on neuroimaging.
Early detection and low-cost corrective measures (e.g., eyeglasses, orientation training) significantly improve daily functioning.
Achievements
- This study provides critical evidence for policy and program design in childhood disability and eye health.
- It supports CSF’s mission to create inclusive, evidence-based rehabilitation models for children with multiple disabilities in Bangladesh and beyond.
- Findings are being shared with national stakeholders, health ministries, and international journals to advocate for integrated disability and vision care.