Daily Life

Adapting to sight loss

Summary: Sources of help for people with a recently diagnosed sight problem.

• Having problems with your eyes?
• Getting the right help in place
• Living life to the full
• Information for you

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Suspecting or being told you have a problem with your sight can be an anxious time. Feelings of worry and uncertainty about the future can be hard to cope with. This page has been designed to help you come to terms with a diagnosis and introduce you to the information and support available from RNIB.

Having problems with your eyes?

Get it checked

Having an eye test can detect problems with the health of your eyes as well as changes to your sight. We recommend everyone having a test at least every two years. After your eye test explains what happens after an eye examination. Early diagnosis can prevent further sight loss.

If your eye or other medical conditions makes it difficult for you to get out and about, you may be able to have an eye examination in your home.

If you have been given an appointment at a hospital, Going to the eye clinic tells you what to expect and offers some ideas for getting the best from your visit. Who's who in eye health describes the different eye care specialists you may meet at the hospital or in the community.

Just diagnosed?

Our eye condition guides can tell you more about your own condition, what it means and how it can be treated.

Visit our eye health forum to discuss your eye condition with other people. You may find people who are in the same situation as you or who share their experience of dealing with a diagnosis.

If talking to someone might help, our Emotional Support Service offers confidential support and information over the telephone from trained counsellors.

An RNIB Finding your feet weekend could help you get back on your feet. These three-day events take place in relaxed and comfortable hotels throughout the country. Facilitators lead discussions and activities to find practical solutions to the challenges of living with blindness or partial sight.

Getting the right help in place

Making changes

Our hints and tips on doing everyday things can help you find new ways of doing daily tasks.

• Make the most of your sight - practical ideas on making the best use of the sight you have
• Special equipment from RNIB
• RNIB Resource Centres - try out products and get advice about what would suit you best
• Staying in your own home - adaptations to make your home easier to use
• Keeping safe - hints and tips on how to stay safe when you are out or at home
• Shopping made easier - ideas for taking the strain out of shopping

Talk to other people with sight loss

Our living with sight loss message board contains discussions about everything and anything to do with having a sight problem. Read the messages, ask a question or share your own experience - its open to all.

If you are a parent or a friend / relation of someone with a sight problem, you may find one of our other message boards useful.

Please read our message board policy before joining any of the groups.

Getting the help you need

If you find you have difficulty managing at home, you may be able to get community care support to help you keep your independence. Your GP may be able to refer you to a low vision service to help you with making the best use of the sight you have.

Telling others what you need

Often, other people are very glad to help when asked but they may be unsure or not know what help is most useful to you, so you may have to help people to help you. Our page How to guide people with sight problems will give others an idea of the sort of help you might need.

Your rights

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) gives a range of rights to people with disabilities in getting goods, facilities and services; and in sectors such as employment, housing and education (whatever your age).

You may also be entitled to help with:

• employment
• welfare benefits
• registration as blind or partially sighted.

Living life to the full

Social life and leisure

Just because you have a sight problem, it doesn't mean that you can't enjoy life! There are many leisure activities that can be enjoyed. Find out more about:

• reading including the RNIB Talking Book Service
• Tele Befriending telephone friendship groups
• staying in contact with friends and family by email - our technology information pages provide advice on using computers
• TV, films and plays with audio description
• ideas on how to travel safely and independently on the move.

Getting involved

Become an RNIB Member and receive a regular information about eye health issues and the latest products and services in our exclusive member's magazine Vision. Call the RNIB Membership team on 0870 787 0077 or 01604 64 00 40 to join or to find out more.

• RNIB campaigns to improve and safeguard the wellbeing of people with sight loss.

Information for you

This site has further information for particular groups:

• older people
• young people
• friends and family
• parents

If you still have questions you can contact RNIB's Helpline on 0845 766 9999 or 020 7388 2525 / helpline@rnib.org.uk

Content author: ann.baxter@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 06/03/2008 15:41