Behavioral correlates of poor vision in children

Neurobehavioral adaptations to abnormalities in the visual pathways may be conscious and deliberate but usually take an innate, unconscious form. For our purpose, a neurobehavioral adaptation is defined as "a reaction to a disease process." The reaction is compensatory - that is, it serves to offset a disability. The reaction may, in fact, be a part of the disease process. 

This article is designed to provide an overview of innate behavioral adaptations to visual and oculomotor impairment, primarily in children. Isolated behaviors can be used to localize anatomically the cause of visual impairment. The information in this article is organized neuroanatomically, starting with the retina, then proceeding to the anterior visual pathways and visual cortex. Behaviors specific to defects in each neuroanatomical region will be reviewed. Coping strategies in oculomotor control disorders will also be examined.