About Sight Loss

Click below for more information

FACTS ABOUT BLINDNESS
AND PARTIAL SIGHT

Blind and partially sighted people come in all shapes and sizes, ages and abilities. Between 1 and 1.5 million people in the UK are visually impaired and the majority of these are older people.

Over 90% of visually impaired people have some sight; the majority do not simply experience complete darkness.

The effects of sight loss can be minimised by appropriate rehabilitation and many people can learn or adapt ways of doing things to help them remain independent.

Many people carry a symbol cane to indicate that they have sight loss. Some use a long cane to help them find their way about. However, only 5% of visually impaired people have a guide dog.

EYE CONDITIONS

Macular Degeneration
The most common cause of severe sight loss in the UK (well over 100,000 people), especially amongst elderly people. The macula is the part of the retina at the back of the eye which gives central/detail vision. This can become less sensitive in later life with a gradual loss of ability to see things clearly straight ahead (people's faces, TV, print, etc.), distorted vision, loss of colour vision and/or a dark or 'missing' area in the centre of vision. People usually retain outline vision for many years and never go completely blind from Macular Degeneration.

Diabetic Eye Disease
Diabetes can affect the eye in various ways, usually involving damage to the retina at the back of the eye, especially for people who have been diabetic for a long time. This usually leads to patchy vision, difficulty in focussing and sometimes loss of colour vision. Vision may also fluctuate and there can be other health problems. Ophthalmic treatment is usually by laser, at least initially.

Glaucoma
Changes in pressure within the eye cause damage to the optic nerve at the back, which carries visual images to the brain. Detail vision can remain quite good but often within a restricted field. There can be sensitivity to bright light. Treatment is usually by eye drops, optical aids and sunglasses. People of any age can develop Glaucoma, usually slowly and painlessly and it can be treated, especially if detected early. Anyone over the age of 40 is entitled to a free eye examination if there is a history of Glaucoma in their family.

Cataracts
A Cataract is a clouding or darkening of the normally clear lens at the front of the eye. This usually develops slowly, over a number of years as we get older (i.e. 65 plus), but can be hereditary or develop rapidly as a result of injury or disease. Cataracts lead to a blurring of vision, with near vision usually better than distance. They are easily detectable by eye examination and surgery is now regarded as routine.

NB Of these conditions, only the acute (rarer) form of Glaucoma is usually painful.

Other less common eye disorders include:

• Corneal Problems (sometimes requiring grafts)
• Hemianopia (loss of half the field of vision in each eye, often after a stroke)
• Myopia (short sight)
• Nystagmus (involuntary movement of the eye making focussing difficult)
• Optic Atrophy (damage to the optic nerve carrying visual messages from the back of the eye to the brain)
• Retinal Detachment (where the retina splits from its base layer)
• Retinitis Pigmentosa (hereditary conditions leading to a gradual loss of peripheral vision, leaving 'tunnel vision'

For more detailed information on specific eye conditions speak to your Consultant. There are support organisations for specific conditions.

A BLIND PERSON'S PERSPECTIVE

Sight Loss does make a difference to people’s lives. Below, a blind person gives his perspective and some ideas of the ways in which sighted people can help.

“Nice to see you.” Don’t be afraid to speak to me in the same way that you would speak to anyone else. Talk naturally, don’t talk down, or address me through a companion. Of course you should avoid words which are condescending or pitying, like: “Oh, poor thing, what a dreadful affliction.”

I am quite normal, apart from the physical fact that I have restricted vision. Don’t shout at me I’m not deaf. Don’t talk to me in a simple language – I’m not stupid. When you help to guide me, you do not need to lift me – I’m not physically disabled. My disability can be minimised by appropriate rehabilitation and I can be taught new ways of coping with most situations; dialling a telephone, writing, getting about on my own, even carrying on with my job.

When you are trying to help someone with restricted vision, try to remember these simple hints:

1. When you are guiding me, let ME take YOUR arm. Never grab my arm and push me in front of you. Let me walk half a pace behind you so that I have time to adjust myself if you stop or change direction.
2. Tell me about objects or irregularities which I might stumble over.
3. Always approach steps and curbs at right angles rather than diagonally. Tell me if the steps go up or down.
4. When you give me directions, be careful not to confuse left and right – and of course it’s no good pointing because I can’t see which direction you are pointing to.
5. When you show me to a chair, don’t just push me into it – let me feel the back of the chair and find my own way.
6. Let me know who you are when you speak to me. Shake hands, or touch my arm – it’s the equivalent of a friendly smile. Tell me if you are about to leave –it is embarrassing talking to an empty space.
7. Do not re-arrange the house too often! Or leave objects lying about for me to fall over; or leave doors ajar; or leave handles sticking out on the stove.
8. When you are out with me and we meet people, don’t answer questions for me, I am still able to hold a conversation.
9. Don’t tidy my belongings – remember I cannot see where you have put them.
10. Please ask me what utensils I prefer at mealtimes. Do remember to put them in my hand – I cannot see if you hand them to me.
11. Do ask me if I would like my food cut up, especially meat on the bone.
12. Do tell me where my food is on the plate – for example meat at a quarter past three, potatoes at a quarter to nine and so on.
13. Please tell me that I look handsome/smart/colourful/trendy or whatever. OR that I am wearing odd socks or have egg on my tie!
14. I may welcome assistance to cross the road, but some visually impaired people may not, but do not be afraid to offer.
    

There are other ways of helping blind people in the environment too:

• Don’t park your car on the pavement.
• Trim back any trees and hedges which overhand the pavement.
• Report broken paving slabs, unguarded holes and other hazards to the local council.