Here you will find reserch into barriers to accessing eye health services and the effectiveness of a range of interventions.
The most recent reports published in this category are displayed here. For other reports in this area please visit the Research Library.
Eye Clinic Liasion Officer Impact Project
The RNIB strategy for 2009-14 includes a commitment to roll out ECLO posts across the UK. Whilst there is some limited evidence to suggest these services are beneficial to patients a more robust evidence of effectiveness in terms of outcomes for blind and partially sighted people is needed in order to prove the case for future funding.
Information prescriptions for sight loss
Information Prescription, Leeds pilot March 2007 - January 2008
RNIB, over the last year, has worked in partnership with Leeds Low Vision Service Committee on a Department of Health (DH) initiative called "Information prescriptions".
Profile of UK Low Vision Services
A key issue for blind and partially sighted people is the provision of a fully joined up service between health and social care. This is to allow for a seamless journey from diagnosis to service provision, at a pace that suits the service user.
Research indicates that there are currently significant problems of:
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poor co-ordination between eye clinics, low vision services and rehabilitation services
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inadequacies in the assessment of people with recent sight loss
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failure to address the emotional impact of visual impairment.
In recent years, some areas have piloted integrated low vision rehabilitation services. Currently, there are a limited number of integrated low vision and rehabilitation pathways, with the capacity to offer assessment and follow-up supportive care resources.
RNIB has commissioned some research to investigate the benefits for people with visual impairment, of an integrated low vision and rehabilitation pathway, and to determine whether this integrated approach has additional benefits for users, to standard low vision and rehabilitation care.
The outputs of this project include a review of the literature on different models of low vision and rehabilitation in sight loss and the impact on patient outcomes, and a report of identified good practice as measured against the NHS Recommended Standards for Low Vision services, of both integrated and standard services.
Low Vision Service Outcomes: Executive Summary (Word 152 KB)
Low Vision Outcomes Literature Review (Word 2.89 MB)
Low Vision Outcomes UK Profile Report (Word 1 MB)