Sight loss study informs visually impaired services

Research jointly produced by charities, Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Guide Dogs and Thomas Pocklington Trust, has provided insight into the lives of people living with visual impairment.

The report, created from interviews with over 800 visually impaired people, found that patients require ‘more practical and emotional support, better signposting and quicker referrals’ upon diagnosis to be able to better adapt to life with visual impairment.

Other insights revealed issues such as: the prevalence of public ignorance of conditions, which has often led to negative encounters; lack of accessibility to transport and public places; employment restrictions; and disparities in access and awareness to assistive technology.