Research spotlight: Specialist low vision clinics in the UK

Specialist low vision clinics are vital for our vision impaired (VI) community. VI adults, children and young people, face additional challenges with education, employment and wellbeing, which calls for a supportive, holistic and coordinated approach from both clinical and allied services.

Over the past 50 years, our low vision clinics have moved on from simple magnifier provision to much wider remits – prescribing an array of vision aids, teaching vision skills and strategies, and supporting individuals to navigate charitable and allied services.

Low vision practitioners liaise with other professionals, such as a qualified teacher for the vision impaired (QTVI), as well as make onward referrals to other specialists. The breadth of work undertaken is clearly articulated in the RNIB’s (2024) Adult Low Vision Quality Service Framework.¹