Family Friends and Carers

At Sight Life we know that being diagnosed with an eye condition can be overwhelming. We also know how difficult it can be for spouses, partners, and family members when someone loses their sight. That is why we are here to support carers of those with sight loss.

Families and friends have told us about how difficult it can be to find the right balance between their instinct to care for and protect and wanting to encourage their independence. We offer advice and support for carers to help them adjust to looking after someone with a vision impairment.

We will try to make sure that carers are looking after themselves too and offer the chance to connect with other carers for peer support and to share experiences.

As a carer we can provide support, in confidence, with any anxieties you may be experiencing. We can help you understand their eye condition and how it affects you as well as them. We can also discuss any financial support you may be entitled to.

If you care for someone with sight loss and would like more information and support, please contact us.

If a friend or loved one with sight loss wants to talk to you about the problems they are experiencing, let them know you are there as a listening ear and that they are not alone.

Reach out to professionals and support networks

You may want to help in any way you can, but it is important to get expert advice to provide targeted support for your loved one. If you have concerns about your loved one’s sight, encourage them to contact their GP or optician for a check-up. If needed, they may be referred to a hospital eye department. Specialist rehabilitation officers provide expert guidance to ensure your loved one is safely supported.

Learn about their condition.

You may not know what it is like to live with sight loss, but learning as much as you can about your loved one’s eye condition puts you in a better position to help. Having the willingness to learn will allow you to provide more support and understanding.

We have a list of common eye conditions listed here if you would like to find out more.

Support their independence

It is instinctive to try and help your loved one as much as you can. However, sometimes this can result in reducing a person’s independence. There are specially trained rehabilitation offers who work with your loved one and your family to ensure you have the knowledge, training and confidence to support them to adapt to life with sight loss and maintain their independence.

A rehabilitation officer may provide support with specialist equipment such as long cane and route training which helps a person with sight loss to maintain their independence and regain confidence. This can feel like a daunting step, but this can offer life-changing help to your loved one – make sure you encourage them to consider it where possible.

Make simple changes

Even the smallest changes can make a big difference to the daily life of someone with sight loss. At home, make sure the floors aren’t cluttered and remove loose rugs to prevent trips or falls. Keeping items in a consistent place that is easily accessible will really help your loved one find items more easily. Make sure your home is well-lit to help your loved one move around.

Look after your wellbeing

Sight loss is life-changing, not only for the individual experiencing sight problems, but also for their friends and family. If you’re struggling to cope with caring for someone who has sight loss, remember that it is normal and understandable.

Looking after someone with sight loss can be demanding, especially if you have other responsibilities. It is important to take some time for yourself to look after your own mental health. You’re not alone in feeling this way. Support is available if you need to reach out for help. If you’re not sure what to do, Sight Life are here to offer guidance and support.

Attend a carers group session

Ask us about attending a session with other family, friends and carers, to share experiences and gain a better understanding of sight loss and the impact on your loved one.

There are several helplines available if you need to talk to someone:

Macular Society: 0300 303 0111

Samaritans: 116 123

Mind: 0303 123 9999