Information and guidance for eye clinic staff

We want to raise standards and improve the quality of information and support provided to those newly diagnosed or living with sight loss and their families, friends and carers. You are key to helping blind and partially sighted people to come to terms with their condition and helping to improve their quality of life.

Certification and Registration

• Certification and Registration explained (Word, 149 KB)

Changes to Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) form in England

The new CVI form is simpler, easier for patients to understand, and easier for staff to complete, and there are no longer separate forms for adults and children. The revised CVI form also provides more information where patients can obtain further advice and support. The information from the form will be used to examine the causes of sight loss helping to prevent others losing their sight; and can also be used to identify any patterns in certain eye conditions and help with planning services. Read the FAQs for professionals.

Quality standards and guidance

• Employment - Good practice guidelines for Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs) (Word, 65KB)

Good practice guidelines for ECLOs and EISWs

People with learning disabilities

• Good practice guidelines for ECLOs and EISWs: People with learning disabilities (Word, 150 KB)

Children, young people and families

• Good practice guidelines for ECLOs and EISWs: children, young people and families (Word, 240 KB)

Integration into the Eye Clinic

• Good practice guidelines for ECLOs and EISWs: integration into the eye clinic (Word, 130KB)

Good Practice Guide on Glaucoma

• Glaucoma - Good practice guidelines for ECLOs (Word, 235KB)

Good Practice Guide on dementia

• Good practice guidelines for ECLOs: Dementia (Word, 634KB)

Good Practice Guide on Strokes

• Stroke - Good practice guidelines for ECLOs (Word, 160KB)

Quality standard for people with sight loss and dementia in an ophthalmology department

• Download the Quality standard for people with sight loss and dementia in an ophthalmology department (PDF, 509.5 KB)

ECLO Referral Guidelines

These referral guidelines have been designed for ECLO's to share with medical professionals, clinical staff, GPs, Optometrists and Nurses (but not clients / service users) to spread the word about who might benefit from a referral to the ECLO service.   There is a A4 leaflet (double sided), A3 poster and there is space on the leaflet for the ECLO to add their contact details. 

• ECLO Referral Guidelines A4 leaflet (PDF, 140KB)
• ECLO Referral Guidelines A3 poster (PDF, 120KB)

ECLO Induction Programme

• ECLO Induction programme guide (Word, 183 KB)

Departmental training

Sight Loss Advisers, ECLO's and VSS  are sometimes asked to provide training for Eye Department or hospital staff, or speak at Clinical Governance / Audit meetings. The below document is designed to support you in delivering this by offering ideas and possible content to get you started and includes suggestions of where to find the information you need.

• Suggested content for training given by ECLO's / VSS / Sight Loss Advisors (Word, 133 KB)

Practice guidance, quality frameworks and assessment tools for eye clinic support services

ECLO and other Sight Loss Advisers

• ECLO / sight loss adviser services: RNIB Practice guidance and quality framework (Word, 33 KB)

• Practice guidance and quality framework for ECLO services, summary + assessment tool (Word, 26 KB)

Eye clinic support service providers

• Eye clinic support services: RNIB Practice guidance and quality framework (Word, 369 KB)

• Practice guidance and quality framework for non-ECLO eye clinic support services, summary + assessment tool (Word, 68 KB)

Information on the Low Vision Services Assessment Framework

•  Low Vision Services self assessment tool (Word, 143 KB)

Are you looking to set up a sight loss adviser service in your area? 

Eye departments across the UK are increasingly seeing the benefit of having a sight loss adviser, also known as an ECLO (Eye Clinic Liaison Officer) as part of a core service provision for patients. Find out more about setting up a service in your area.

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