Eye Clinic Support Service, Scotland
If you're worried about your vision, RNIB Scotland's Eye Care Liaison Officers (ECLOs also known as Eye Clinic Liaison Officers) are here for you.
Whatever eye condition or needs you may have, you’re not alone. RNIB Scotland and other partner organisations provide ECLO services in hospitals across Scotland, working with NHS and Health and Social Care Partnerships to help people living with sight loss.
With an ECLO's expert guidance you can:
Maintain your independence
Better understand your eye condition and treatment
Apply for benefits and concessions
Do the things you need to stay in employment, education or take up new opportunities
Continue to enjoy leisure activities, like reading
Understand the CVI and registration process
Access services both locally and nationally which can help support you.
Our ECLOs give you the opportunity to discuss your sight diagnosis and access information about the things which are important to you. Our service provides support for children and adults, patients, family members and carers.
Contact a RNIB ECLO in your area
For further information, or to contact your local ECLO, please contact the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999, or find information on our RNIB Sight Line Directory.
For eye-care professionals
RNIB Scotland's ECLO service works with professionals in the eye health field, NHS Scotland Clinical Teams and in Health and Social Care Partnerships across Scotland.
ECLOs work closely with medical and nursing staff in the eye clinic and the sensory team in social services. They provide those recently diagnosed with an eye condition with the practical and emotional support which they need to understand their diagnosis, come to terms with their sight loss and maintain their independence.
Most importantly, ECLOs have the time to dedicate to patients following consultation, so that they can discuss the impact the condition may have on their life.
All RNIB ECLOs are endorsed by the UK Ophthalmology Alliance (UKOA) and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth). Qualified ECLOs have attended the Eye Clinic Support Studies Course delivered by RNIB and City University, London, which is a recognised qualification by the UKOA, and adhere to the RNIB Quality Framework for ECLO services.
If you would like to find out more about RNIB's ECLO services in Scotland, please contact Ruth Morrell, ECLO Service Manager, North Scotland on [email protected], or Rosemary Cameron, ECLO Service Manager, South Scotland on [email protected]
Other help and support
Living Well with Sight Loss courses and phone groups
Our free and informal Living Well with Sight Loss courses aim to help you increase your independence, boost your confidence and connect with others to share experiences. “Everybody looked a bit nervous but we soon got to know each other and then went on to learn lots of ways of how to cope with sight loss – it's definitely the best thing I've ever done,” said recent participant, Hazel Kelly from Edinburgh.
Need to talk
Our Need to Talk service offers additional counselling support for people living in Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, Lochaber, Skye and Lochalsh, Arran and Cumbrae, Argyll and Bute and the Western Isles.
Related links
Knowledge and research hub
We are a leading source of information on sight loss and the issues affecting blind and partially sighted people. Access our statistics, evidence and reports in our research hub.
Visit the research hub