Research from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) has found people with sight loss in the UK were confused by a ‘disjointed’ certification and registration system that creates a barrier for people trying to access support, benefits and rehabilitation.
Examining the experiences of people with sight loss around receiving a certificate of vision impairment (CVI), the research looked at subsequent access to welfare, support or further healthcare assistance through a referral of vision impairment (RVI).
Researchers carried out interviews with 17 individuals in the UK with eye disease, as well as optometrists and eye clinic liaison officers. Participants were asked open-ended questions about their own experiences of care, certification and registration.
Patients reported confusion regarding decisions and processes of certification and registration, with some reporting inconsistency amongst the people who certified them as some individuals were more inclined to certify than others. Participants also reported long waiting lists for accessing support, and issues with capacity for social support services from local authorities.