Visual impairments
People with visual impairments are sometimes known as blind or partially sighted. The more modern term is sight impaired or severely sight impaired. Sight loss can be caused by a variety of conditions such as:
- macular degeneration
- glaucoma
- diabetes
- cataracts
- visual cortex disorder
- genetic defects or an injury
Many people who live with sight impairment experience different levels of sight loss. Some people are only able to determine lights or shapes, while others may experience blurred vision. Another effect of sight impairment is having no sight in the centre of the eye or no side vision.
Some people may have some useful sight but may find it difficult at night. It is uncommon for someone to have no vision at all even if the person is registered blind.
Eye strain and headaches are also a common side effect of living with sight impairment.
National support
Royal National Institute for the Blind
The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RINIB) is the largest charity for people with sight loss. You can find lots of useful information around sight loss, along with practical support.
Sight Loss Advice Service - RNIB - See differently
Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association provides guide dogs, mobility and other rehabilitation services to meet the needs of blind and sight impaired people.
Guide Dogs UK Charity For The Blind And Partially Sighted
The Macular Disease Society
The Macular Disease Society is a charity for people with macular disease, offering support, advice and information.
Local support
If you need access via British Sign Language, you can contact the Sensory Services Team via SMS on 07920 154 315 or via SignLive VRS on the community directory
Kent Association for the Blind supports sight impaired people in Kent. Go to the Kent Association for the Blind website for more information.