Sight loss and blindness

People with sight loss are sometimes known as blind or partially sighted. The more modern term is sight impaired or severely sight impaired. Sight loss can be caused by a variety of conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetes, cataracts, visual cortex disorder, genetic defects or an injury.

Different eye conditions create different difficulties. Few people are totally blind. A few have perception of light only; some have a loss of vision in the centre of their eye, others have no side vision. Some people with sight loss see everything as a blur while others have blank spots. Some have enough vision to read but may have difficulty with night vision. Sight loss can make everyday tasks harder, but help is available.

If you are having problems with your sight, go to your GP or optician as soon as possible. If necessary, they may refer you to an eye clinic or a consultant ophthalmologist. They will examine your eyes and look at possible treatments for your problem. • Search for an NHS optician near you (www.nhs. uk/service-search/find-an-optician ).

• NHS website: blindness and vision loss (www.nhs.uk/conditions/vision-loss ).

Many local opticians will visit you in your home to carry out an eye test. Home visits to carry out an eye test are only available free on the NHS if you are unable to visit a community optometrist on your own. Find out more and search for home visit opticians in Hampshire by visiting

www.mylocaloptician.co.uk

Equipment to help you

There is a wide range of aids and equipment that can make everyday activities and tasks easier.

The Living Made Easy website has practical advice on equipment and adaptations if you have sight or hearing loss. Visit www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk and select ‘Communicating’ from the menu at the top or you can call the helpline for advice on 0300 999 0004. There are also many apps to help people with sight loss or blindness which you can download to a smartphone or tablet. For example:

• Dolphin EasyReader app (www.yourdolphin.com – search ‘easyreader app’).

• Recommended apps from the RNIB (www.rnib.org.uk – search ‘helpful apps’).

• Top assistive technology and products for sight loss (www.disabilityhorizons.com – search ‘assistive technology and apps for sight loss’).

Information and support

Go to Connect to Support Hampshire’s Community Directory to find local and national support. Visit

www.connecttosupporthampshire.org.uk/

directories (select ‘Choose your category’ then ‘Specific needs’ and ‘Sight or hearing loss’).

Useful contacts

Hampshire County Council

Provides teams to help with sensory loss, can carry out assessments and provide training to help you find practical solutions to problems arising from sight loss. • Tel: 01962 846601 Email: deaf.services.team@hants.gov.uk SMS: 07507 309322 Minicom: 01794 515462 Web: www.hants.gov.uk (search ‘help with sight or hearing loss’).

Macular Society, The

Has information and local support groups for people who have been diagnosed with agerelated macular degeneration. Tel: 0300 303 0111 Email: help@macularsociety.org Web: www.macularsociety.org

Open Sight

Provides advice and information, home visits and phone support in Hampshire. Tel: 023 8064 1244 Web: www.opensight.org.uk

Partially Sighted Society, The

Helps you to make the most of your remaining sight. Tel: 01302 965195 Email: reception@partsight.org.uk Web: www.partsight.org.uk

Portsmouth City Council

Provides teams to help with sensory loss, can carry out assessments and provide training to help you find practical solutions to problems arising from sight loss. Tel: 023 9268 0810 Text: 07931 806986 Web: www.portsmouth.gov.uk (search ‘hearing or sight loss’).

Royal National Institute for the Blind, The (RNIB)

Offers information, services and support for people with sight loss. Tel: 0303 123 9999 Web: www.rnib.org.uk

Southampton City Council

Provides teams to help with sensory loss, can carry out assessments and provide training to help you find practical solutions to problems arising from sight loss. Tel: 023 8083 3003 Web: www.southampton.gov.uk (search ‘visual impairment’).

Books, documents, TV and cinema

Most libraries have books in large as well as standard print and a range of audio books. Audio described DVDs and a range of audio newspapers and magazines are also available. Find out more by visiting your local authority’s website. Talking Newspapers are available at your library or can be sent to you directly. Find out if your local newspaper is available in audio format here (www.tnf.org.uk/find-a-talking-newspaper ). Alternatively, you can call 01793 497555 or email enquiries@tnf.org.uk Also, see the information about apps and technology in the ‘Equipment around the house’ section, included earlier in this Guide on page 30.

You may find it easier to have audio versions (tape or CD), Braille, or large print versions of any documents you receive (for example, from your bank or building society). Speak to the organisation that has produced them and ask for the document to be provided in your preferred format.

If you are struggling to see what is on your television, audio description (AD) can help you. AD is commentary that describes body language, expressions and movements, making the programme clear through sound. Broadcasters (like the BBC, Channel 4 and Sky) must add AD to 20% of their programmes.

Many cinemas are also equipped with a system that delivers audio description (AD) through a headset, which is provided when you collect your ticket.

You can find out more from the RNIB. Visit www.rnib.org.uk and search ‘audio description’. Alternatively, you can call the helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk

Search for care in your area

www.carechoices.co.uk

With so many providers to choose from, where do you start?

• Find care providers quickly and easily • Search by location and care need • Information on care quality • Links to inspection reports • Additional information, photos and web links • Brochure requests