Newly Diagnosed
Receiving a sight loss diagnosis can be worrying and overwhelming. It can be difficult to come to terms with your diagnosis, especially if it is untreatable.
Sight Life is here to provide you with support and guidance throughout this difficult time. We can help you with practical matters such as employment and finances to maintaining a social life and your independence.
You can also find more information about the most common eye conditions at Common Eye Conditions
First Steps After Diagnosis
Learning you have sight loss is life-changing news and it’s understandable to need some time to adjust to your new diagnosis. After learning of your diagnosis, it is normal to feel shock, denial, anger, or even depression. It can be difficult to take in the news of your sight loss and how your life will change.
Certificate of Vision Impairment
Getting registered as visually impaired is a straightforward process and offers several benefits.
Your consultant ophthalmologist will decide if you can be certified as severely sight impaired (SSI)/blind or sight impaired (SI)/partially sighted and you will be issued with a Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI). The CVI is an important document and is often asked for when applying for travel passes or certain benefits.
"Registration” simply means being on your local social service’s register of people who are either SSI or SI. The register tells local authorities how many people with a sight problem live in their area so they can plan services accordingly. The Local
Authority must obtain your consent to include you on their register.
Why should I get registered?
While Registration is voluntary, it is recommended if you would wish to obtain benefits or concessions.
If you apply for welfare benefits or support, this will be the first question you are asked by the Department for Work and Pensions. Registration also makes it easier to get help with education and apply for support from the Access to Work Scheme.
Often just having that piece of paper comes in handy in ways you might not imagine – especially if you have trouble convincing people you really can’t see that well. You could get a better seat at a football match, ensure a sighted friend or relative can accompany you free of charge as a guide to a concert; or that you can get priority help with online supermarket deliveries or when dealing with gas, electricity and other companies supplying everyday services.
Persons certified as SSI may be able to benefit from:
- Blind person’s tax allowance
- Blue Badge Scheme – car parking (also refer below)
- Television licence fee reduction
Persons certified as SI or SSI may be able to benefit from:
- Free postage – “Articles for the blind”
- Free directory enquiries
- Free NHS eye examinations
- CEA card to bring a companion to a participating cinema for free
- Assessment by qualified Vision Rehabilitation Specialist
Low Vision Assessment
Low vision simply means not being able to see as well as most other people even when you’re wearing glasses or contact lenses. For example, you would probably have low vision if you have age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
If you already have a vision impairment or low vision, an optometrist can help you make the best use of the sight you have. They start by carrying out a low vision assessment. This assessment could, for instance, show that magnifiers , eye shields or better lighting at home would help you. They can also advise you about other people and organisations who may be able to help you.
Certain magnifiers and low vision aids (LVAs) are provided by the Wales General Ophthalmic Service for Low Vision and paid for by the Welsh Government so they won’t cost you a penny!
If you live in Wales and are registered as Sight Impaired (SI) or Severely Sight Impaired (SSI), you will automatically qualify for a LVA. You can find a list of Low Vision practitioners at Wales Eye Care Service. You should be able to receive an appointment from your local LVA practitioner within 2 weeks.
