If you are having difficulties because of problems with your sight, you are entitled to an 'assessment of your needs' by social services. You don't need to be registered to receive this help, although registration can be a 'passport' to a range of other benefits.
High street opticians
When you visit your high street optician, they can give you an information guide called the Low Vision Leaflet (LVL). This contains contact details for sources of information, advice and help.
The LVL has a tear-off form for you to fill in and send to your local social services to ask them for an assessment (the address should already have been filled in for you). On the form you can give information about
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your circumstances
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any difficulties or anxieties you have because of your sight problem.
You can also ask for information about the services available to you.
The LVL leaflet comes with contact details telling you where to get advice and information locally and nationally. As well as giving you this leaflet, your optician can arrange for you to be seen at your local hospital eye clinic by a consultant ophthalmologist.
Find out more about visiting an optician.
Hospital eye clinics
If the optician did not give you the LVL form, or you decided not to send it in, there is another way of getting help. If you agree, hospital eye clinic staff can fill in a form, Referral of Vision Impairment (RVI). This form will:
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tell social services about your situation
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request an assessment of your need for support
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state how urgently they think you require help, so you do not have to wait until the end of your treatment at the clinic to be referred.
More about visiting the hospital.
Referring yourself to social services
If you want to, there is nothing to prevent you from contacting your social services department directly to ask for support. You can do this at any time - for instance, when you first have problems with your sight, or if your sight problems get worse.
More about getting support from your local council.
Contact us
For more information on getting registered as blind or partially sighted, contact RNIB's Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk