Registration as blind or partially sighted
Extra help is available
If you have very poor central vision and/or significant loss of visual field in both eyes, you can be registered as partially sighted or blind. This will enable you to obtain additional help and support from your local Social Services.
Registration can be arranged only by a hospital consultant ophthalmologist who, after examining your eyes, will complete the necessary paper work and forward it to the Department for the Visually Impaired at your local Social Services. The Social Services Officer will then get in touch with you and usually arrange a home visit to discuss placing you on the appropriate register. He or she will be able to tell you what is available in your area, for example, help at home, improved lighting and various home gadgets for people with poor sight.
You may be entitled to financial help in the form of:
• Attendance Allowance (if you are over 65 years of age)
• Disability Living Allowance (if you are under 65)
• Carer’s Allowance
• Incapacity Benefit
• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Council Tax disability reduction
• Tax Credits: Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.
This information is available on the RNIB’s website: www.rnib.org.uk. For further information, contact your local Social Security Department, Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), Welfare Rights Officer or Specialist Social Workers at Social Services. Also look at the RNIB’s leaflet on free prescriptions and the Wales Council for the Blind’s leaflet on disability. For contact details, please see Useful addresses.
Aids for those with poor vision
There are also many practical aids that can be of help. These include talking watches, talking clocks, large dial telephones and timepieces. Advice as to where these can be found in your locality can be obtained from the specialist social workers at Social Services. Guide dogs can be immensely helpful and advice regarding the appropriateness and eligibility for a guide dog can be obtained from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
Glasses/Spectacles
If you have macular degeneration, you should ensure that your glasses are checked annually by your optometrist. This will ensure that you are getting the most out of your vision.
Low vision aids
These consist of very strong glasses (magnifying spectacles) and telescopes that enlarge the image to allow it to fall on the part of the retina not affected by the macular degenerative process. If a very large area of your retina is affected, these low vision aids are usually not helpful. The hospital eye specialist can refer those who would benefit from a trial of these aids to a specialist optometrist either in the community or in the hospital. Low vision aids are available free through the NHS although private assessments are also possible.
Closed circuit television systems (CCTV) may be of help in some circumstances. These consist of a video camera that will photograph a piece of text, magnify it and project it on to a screen. These systems are expensive and can cost up to £2,000; they are seldom available on the NHS. Once again advice about their availability can be obtained during a low vision aid assessment. The information may also be available through the local branch of the RNIB.
Books and newspapers
Large print books are available from all libraries and through most good book shops. Talking newspapers and talking books are also obtainable – more details are given in Useful addresses.
Lighting
Good bright lighting is essential to get the best out of your sight. An anglepoise or standard lamp with a strong bulb is helpful for reading, sewing and close work. Halogen bulbs create a good light without the heat that accompanies conventional light bulbs. Good daylight is helpful, so many people read in front of a sunny window.
