Rules 'not fit for purpose'

Almost 70 per cent of those needing to use low vision support services are not eligible to register as visually impaired because of outdated rules, according to research from Cardiff University.

The research, commissioned by the Thomas Pocklington Trust, involved analysis of the Welsh Low Vision Services (WLVS) database, covering 5,817 adults making their first visit to low vision services from April 2004-April 2007. It found that only 30 per cent met the required standards for registration as visually impaired.

Team leader Dr Barbara Ryan, who described the rules for registration as 'not fit for purpose', said: 'Our research shows that people need to access support services before their vision drops to registration levels.'