Living with sight loss
Sight loss can be life changing. People experiencing sight loss will need support, as will their families, friends and carers. If you or someone close to you is losing their sight, speak with the eye care professionals at the eye clinic about what support services are offered in the hospital. They may put you in touch with an eye clinic liaison officer (ECLO).
ECLOs are employed by the RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People). They work in local eye clinics to provide emotional and practical support for patients living with an eye condition and their families, friends and carers.
Alternatively, the eye care professionals at the eye clinic may suggest a referral to low vision services.
There is more information about blindness and vision loss on the NHS website.
Low vision services can help you make the most of your vision. They offer low vision assessments which are useful where sight cannot be improved by medical treatment or ordinary spectacles.
Vision can be improved by using magnifying aids, better lighting, apps or computer devices for example. People with low vision often find that reducing the effects of glare can help.
In West Yorkshire, low vision services are provided by the NHS, usually in hospital eye clinics. There are also a number of private low vision services in the area. Your GP or optician will be able to refer you to a private provider if you are not already under an NHS hospital eye service.
You can find out who provides low vision services near you by calling the RNIB on 0303 123 9999 or by searching the RNIB Sightline Directory. You can also use the RNIB Sightline Directory to search for ECLOs and other organisations that help people who are living with a visual impairment.
If you are referred to a low vision service, a specialist will assess your vision and your needs. They’ll consider any difficulties you may have and recommend equipment or techniques to help you manage them. You will also be given information about things like emotional support, rehabilitation services such as mobility training, local sight loss charities and local services that can offer further help.
If you have sight loss, you may be eligible for a certificate of visual impairment (CVI). There is information about the tests needed to see if you are eligible for a CVI on the RNIB website.
This will enable you to register with your local council as sight impaired (partially sighted) or severely sight impaired (blind). The council will be able to identify any help you might need with day-to-day tasks and link you to the support services they provide.
There are many different charities and support organisations that focus on eye conditions and vision loss. See this page Eye charities and support organisations for details about some of the main ones.