Knowledge and Research Hub

RNIB is a leading source of information on sight loss and the issues affecting blind and partially sighted people.

Key statistics

More than two million people in the UK are living with sight loss that is severe enough to have a significant impact on their daily lives, such as not being able to drive.
By 2050, this will double to over four million living with sight loss.
There are 350,000 people registered as blind or partially sighted in the UK.
Every day, 250 people start to lose their sight in the UK.
One in five people will live with sight loss in their lifetime.

Our key information and statistics section provides answers to some of the most common questions we receive about blind and partially sighted people. Here you will also find our Sight Loss Data Tool, which provides information about sight loss at a local level throughout the UK.

Research reports

Visit our research reports section for the latest sight loss research on a range of topics including employment, education, technology, accessibility and more.

Research Library

Here you will find the RNIB Research Library, Europe's largest, most comprehensive and diverse collection of print and electronic materials about partial sight and blindness.

Connect Voices

If, as a student, researcher, professional or organisation, you want to involve blind and partially sighted people in your work, RNIB's Connect Voices can help.