When you are diagnosed with an eye condition it can feel like your world has been turned upside down. You may experience lots of emotions and have lots of questions. This is all completely normal and Vision Support are here to support you by providing both practical and emotional support.
One of the most common questions is:
Can I continue to live independently?
It is important to remember that everyone’s experience of vision impairment is individual and personal to them.. There are many resources you can use to make the most out of your vision and help make everyday life easier such as low vision aids, lighting, specific equipment e.g. talking scales and implementing the 3 B’s where possible. The 3B’s are:
Bigger – For the majority of eye conditions increasing the font to large print can make text easier to read
Bolder – Contrasting colours e.g. using thicker pens, using a contrasting colour chopping board etc can help make writing/objects stand out from the background therefore making them easier to see
Brighter – many eye conditions cause everything to appear duller and this where adopting good lighting within your home/work environment can potentially have a positive impact
Did you know? Each County Council has a team of ROVI’s (Rehabilitation Officers for Vision Impairment) which provide basic equipment, advice and guidance on increasing and remaining independent as well as mobility training to increase confidence when out and about. You can usually access this service through contacting your local Adult Social Care service/Single Point of Access (SPOA).
You can find the number for your local Adult Social Care services in the useful numbers section at the bottom of this section.
Since being diagnosed you may have been asked the question “have you been registered?” or you may have been registered without being told what it is and what the benefits of being registered are. Here is some information about the registration process.
What is registration?
Firstly, it is important to know that becoming registered as vision impaired is not compulsary and many people chose not to become registered for a variety of reasons such as due to an emotional factor i.e. they are not ready to be registered or they do not feel it will be beneficial to them.
To be registered as vision impaired means that you are registered with your local social services as having a vision impairment. You can be registered as Severly Sight Impaired (SSI) or Sight Impaired (SI) depending on your level of vision.
It is important to remember that you’re registration does not follow you therefore if you move to a new area with a new council you will need to register with the council using your Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI). Therefore, it is important to keep the copy of your CVI as proof of certiciation as evidence e.g. when applying for concessions/benefits etc.
To find out more about the criteria for becoming registered click here (The criteria for certificaton – RNIB – See differently)
How do I become registered?
Only an Ophthalmologist is able to sign your Certificate of Vision Impairment therefore, to become registered you must be under the care of an eye specialist. As the patient you may have to be proactive in asking about the possibility of becoming registered as this is not an automatic process.
What are the benefits of becoming registered as vision impaired?
Consessions – Depending on your registration status (SSI or SI) you may be eligible for concessions for travel, leisure and support towards bills such as council tax
Welfare Rights – Being registered as vision impaired can make the application process for certain benefits more simple to claim
Legal – Disabilility is one of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010; being registered as vision impaired provides protection against discriminateion under this law
For further information about the registration process click here Registering as sight impaired – RNIB – See differently
Emotional Impact of Sight Loss
As well as the pracitcal impact of sight loss, being diagnosed with an eye condition can have a significant impact on your emotional wellbeing. It is important to remember that everyone copes differently but many people do experience stages of grief which are; denial, anger, barganing, depression and acceptance. This is common for people who are newly diagnosed but even if you have been living with sight loss for many years, everyone has good and bad days, trigger points and struggles from time to time – this is all completely normal. Asking for help or speaking to someone about how you feel is not a sign of weakness but can bring strength to help get through difficult times.
For further information about the emotional impact of sight loss and the five stages of grief click here Good mental health: Sight loss and the five stages of grief – RNIB – See differently
Top Tips
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Peer support: speaking to others with shared experiences can normalise your feelings and make you feel less alone.
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Counselling: It can help to speak to someone who you do not know as this provides an opportunity to be open and honest without judgment
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Don’t be hard on yourself: you are allowed to feel how you feel and your feelings are valid
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Look after yourself: take some ‘me time’ to focus on yourself
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Try not to compare to others: everyone experiences sight loss to varying degrees and also copes with sight loss in different ways. Everyone is unique! Sometimes comparing yourself to others can be detrimental to your own wellbeing
As your local sight loss charity we can offer counselling and also peer support opportunities both face to face and virtually. If you would like further information or to speak to one of our team please get in touch.
Useful Contact Details
Vision Support:
Tel: 01244 381515
Email: information@visionsupport.org.uk
Cheshire West and Chester Council Adult Social Care:
Telephone: 0300 123 7034
Email: accesswest@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Conwy County Council SPOA:
Tel: 0300 456 1111
Email: wellbeing@conwy.gov.uk
Denbighshire County Council SPOA:
Tel: 0300 456 1000
Email: spoa@denbighshire.gov.uk
Flintshire County Council SPOA:
Tel: 0300 085 8858
Email: spoa@flintshire.gov.uk
Halton Borough Council Adult Social Care:
Tel: :0303 333 4300
Email: hdl@halton.gov.uk
