Every 6 minutes, a person in the UK is told they will lose their sight.
Vision loss can bring significant changes to a person’s life, affecting their independence and daily activities. It’s important to understand both the emotional and practical challenges your family member or loved one might face. This guide offers advice on how you can support and understand them during this time.
Key Terms:
- Visual Impairment: The term visual impairment is used to describe vision loss that cannot be corrected using glasses or contact lenses.
- Blindness: The word blindness is commonly used to describe total, or near-total vision loss.
Common Causes of Visual Impairment
- Macular Degeneration (AMD): This is the leading cause of visual impairment in adults. As you age, the macula at the centre of your retina, which contains all the cells that help us see well, wears out.
- Glaucoma: A condition where the optic nerve is damaged due to increased pressure. The nerve that connects your eye to your brain.
- Cataracts: When the lens of your eye becomes cloudy.
- Diabetic Retinopathy: A complication of diabetes that affects your vision. It damages blood vessels in your retina.
- Uncorrected Refractive Errors: A type of vision problem that makes it hard to see clearly. These happen when the shape of your eye keeps light from focusing correctly on your retina.
- Corneal Opacity: Eye problems that lead to scarring or clouding of the cornea, your eye’s clear protective outer layer.
- Trachoma: An eye disease caused by a bacterial infection.
- Hemianopia: A stroke-related eye condition that causes the loss of half your field of vision.
Making Communication & Environments Accessible
Accessible Communication
Audio Description:
Audio description is an extra commentary track for a program or movie that narrates what is happening on the screen. They’ll describe body language, expressions and movements, making the story clear through sound. This helps people with vision loss to better understand the context of what they’re watching.
Audio Formats:
Written materials can be transformed into audio formats, allowing blind and partially sighted people to listen to them at their own pace. Talking books, newspapers, and magazines are readily available, and important information, such as appointment letters, can also be produced on request.
Braille:
Braille is a language where the letters are translated into raised dots on a page that can be read by touch. Any written material can be translated into Braille.
💡 You can learn more about Braille in our guide, Understanding Braille For The Visually Impaired, here.
Large Print:
Although many people with vision loss can still see, they may choose to use large-print formats with font sizes over 18 points. These can be tailored to the individual’s needs with the font size increased to a level they find comfortable to read.
Websites:
Many blind and partially sighted people use smartphones, tablets, and computers to access websites and can zoom in or use a screen reader to understand the content of the pages. There are also settings like dark mode, which let them change the colours and contrast on the screen to better suit their vision.
💡 You can learn more about this in our guide, How Technology Benefits Those With Vision Problems here.
Accessible Environments
Any environment can be made more accessible for people with sight loss.
Bright lighting and large, bold signage can make it easier for those with partial sight to navigate an area, and braille can be added to signs for people who read the language. Labelling objects can also make it easier for people with sight loss to understand their surroundings, and labels can also be created in Braille.
Bright, contrasting colours can be used to draw attention to potential hazards, such as the edge of stairs, making the environment safer for people with sight loss.
Supporting a Loved One or Family Member
Be There To Listen
If your family member or loved one has recently been diagnosed, they might feel uncertain or as if things are still very new. We recommend waiting until your loved one is ready to talk but let them know that you’re there for them. You should also be an active listener, concentrating on their words and feelings. Don’t interrupt or tell them what they should do.
Learn About Their Eye Condition
If your loved one has been diagnosed with an eye condition, you may have questions or be unsure what to say. Taking the time to learn about and understand their eye condition can help you talk with them, understand, and offer your support.
Encourage Independence, Not Dependence
It’s natural to want to step in and do everything for someone you care about, but maintaining independence is crucial for confidence and wellbeing. You can support their independence by:
- Asking before helping rather than assuming assistance is needed
- Encouraging them to try tasks themselves where safe
- Supporting learning new skills rather than taking over
- Respecting their routines and personal choices
Other Ways You Can Help:
- Check in with them regularly. Making the time to call, visit, or connect with them could make a huge difference to their mental health or wellbeing. Talking can also help you understand what kind of support they’d like from you, if any.
- Ask if there are any small changes at home that could help, and offer your support to make them if they would like. For example, you could help tidy up clutter, label clothes or other household items, or set up accessible technology.
- Find out about the local support available. You can use the RNIB’s Sightline Directory to find support, charities, and communities near you. All you need to do is put in your postcode for a list of what’s available in your area.
Emotional Support for Children & Young People
The RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) offers a series of guides and podcasts for parents and carers about emotional support for children and young people with vision impairment. They also provide top tips for positive mental health and sight loss counselling.
You can find the RNIB’s guides and podcasts here.
Certificates of Visual Impairment
If yours or a family member’s vision has deteriorated to a certain level, you might want to get a certificate of visual impairment. Usually, if you’re eligible for this, your optometrist will talk to you about it.
Depending on how severe your vision loss is, you’ll be registered as:
- Sight Impaired – previously “partially sighted”
- Severely Sight Impaired – previously “blind”
Getting a certificate means being on your local authority’s social service/s register of people who are either sight impaired (SI) or severely sight impaired (SSI). It’s voluntary and completely confidential; your details will not be shared.
If you have a certificate of visual impairment, it can help you get a range of benefits. These may include:
- Benefits to help with any costs relating to your disability or illness
- A reduction in the TV licence fee
- Helping NHS costs.
- Help with council tax and tax allowances
- Reduced fees on public transport
- Parking concessions
You Might Find Useful:
- Our guide on How Hormonal Changes Can Affect Your Vision
- Our guide on Why Your Eye Prescription Can Change Over Time
- Our guide on How To Manage Your Vision As You Age
