EastEnders set to air visual impairment storyline

EastEnders is working with advice from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) on an upcoming storyline where Lauren and Peter’s son is diagnosed as severely sight impaired.

Having struggled to settle baby Jimmy in recent weeks, Lauren becomes concerned by his lack of ability to focus as he struggles to latch during breastfeeding. Determined to follow her mother’s instinct, Lauren takes Jimmy to the hospital for further tests where the doctors confirm that Jimmy is severely sight impaired.

The storyline will follow Lauren and Peter as they attempt to navigate life with a newborn, the symptoms that Lauren picks up on which leads her to seek a diagnosis, and how the diagnosis will impact Jimmy and their family as a whole.

Speaking of the storyline, EastEnders Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw says: “It was imperative that we worked with RNIB and experts in the field when consulting on Jimmy’s visual impairment storyline to ensure it was portrayed sensitively and accurately. The story will continue to develop over time as we look to focus on how the diagnosis affects Lauren and Peter as parents, their family and later, the effects this will have on Jimmy.”

Louise Gow, RNIB's Head of Eye Health, Optometry and Low Vision, says: “Working with EastEnders on this important storyline involving Lauren, Peter and baby Jimmy has been such a great experience. The team at EastEnders has worked closely with RNIB by listening to our advice and developing a story that authentically captures the experiences of parents of children with visual impairment. While every family’s experience is different, the story demonstrates the emotional impact and challenges of vision impairment. It highlights and raises awareness of the support that is available for people with sight loss – parents, carers, children, and young people.”