Lack of support for sight loss and alcoholism

Healthcare services are not equipped to support patients with sight loss who have problems with drink or alcohol, according to a new study by charity Thomas Pocklington Trust.

Alcohol, other Drugs and Sight Loss: A Scoping Study was released this week, combining the personal stories of people with sight loss with existing research relating to alcohol and drugs.

‘The individual practitioners we spoke to do their best but they are operating with systems and structures that do not routinely consider the 'other' issue as part of their remit,’ said Professor Sarah Galvani, from Manchester Metropolitan University, who led the research. ‘Until this changes, the services people receive are likely to be at best, lacking and at worst failing them completely.’