On today’s show, we’ll be looking at Living with Low Vision. Did you know, more than 2 million people in the UK are living with sight loss. Up to 340,000 are also registered as blind or partially sighted. A patient being told about their sight loss can be difficult for themselves and their loved ones. However, there are many different schemes and assistance available to anyone who has sight loss.
Low Vision can come from many different eye conditions such as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Glaucoma, trauma to the eye, Diabetes, Cataracts, Retinitis Pigmentosa and many more. Unfortunately for most conditions, there is no cure. However, through the use of magnifying glasses and technological advancements, we can help manage the condition and allow people to have independence in their lives.
Such management strategies include, as mentioned, the use of a magnifying glass, or orange bumpers that can be stuck onto a microwave or oven so the patient can see where the dials are. All these little tips and tricks will have been mentioned in a one to one meeting with an ECLO (Eye Clinic Liaison Officer). These people work between the hospital eye clinics and their staff, and the patient to establish what equipment or requirements a patient needs. They can also point a patient into the right direction for emotional and morale support through the use of supports groups and local charities/authorities.
As a Dispensing Optician, I’ve heard patients say how lonely they have become due to sight loss. No one should feel alone whilst going through this condition. As a Dispensing Optician, we have a duty of care to all patients suffering or struggling with their low vision. That’s why we are able to refer a patient to an ECLO to point them into the right direction. We can also help support the patient through the use of regular sight tests (just because someone is partially sighted/blind doesn’t mean they don’t need a sight test!), the dispensing of certain spectacles that can help with their low vision, or dispense magnifying glasses with the correction amount of power.
There are so many charities and organisations in the UK that are able to help anyone who encounters low vision. Certain ones include the RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People), the NHS, Macular Society, Diabetes UK and many more. If you’re worried about yourself or a loved one’s vision, get a sight test booked today and talk to your Optometrist/Dispensing Optician about your concerns.
Hawley Optical – Vision Redefined