Your eye care journey and what to expect

At Stage 1, you may want to ask:

• What tests you are likely to have and why you are having them
• What support you may need following your appointment and what the next steps are
• Where to get more information in the format you need
• How to access support while you wait for the next stage
• Whether you can choose the hospital or service you would like to go to if you need more test or treatment
• When to go back to the optometrist if you have any changes in your sight which you’re not sure about.

Who you will meet

• Optometrists, more commonly known as opticians, are trained to examine your vision, prescribe glasses or contact lenses and detect eye conditions. If necessary, they can refer you to other health professionals.
• Dispensing opticians are trained to fit and supply glasses, and some have additional training to fit contact lenses.

If you need to wait for further tests

If you have been referred for further tests while you are waiting for your appointment, you should be told:

• What to expect next and when
• How to get updated waiting times
• Who to contact if you have any questions
• How to get information and advice about the eye condition you may have
• How to access emotional support
• How long you might be waiting and how urgently you should be seen
• Who to contact if your eye conditions/symptoms change or get worse while you are waiting.

At Stage 2, you should know:

• What condition you have and how it might develop
• How to access information about your condition and how it will be managed over time
• What your treatment options are
• That there may be no treatment available for your condition, what that might mean and what are the next steps
• That you can ask about genetic testing and how to access it if needed
• About research or any clinical trials which may be relevant
• How to access practical and emotional support and counselling.

Who you will meet 

• Ophthalmologists are specialist doctors who diagnose, treat and monitor eye conditions.
• Orthoptists are qualified to identify and treat certain eye conditions such as squints or double vision.
• Ophthalmic Nurses provide nursing care and treatments to people with eye conditions and sight loss.
• Optometrists are also often part of the eye care team in hospitals.
• Eye Care Liaison Officers (ECLOs) are based in hospitals around the UK and can provide immediate support following a diagnosis. They can talk to you more about what happens next. Check before your appointment to see if your hospital has an ECLO.

At Stage 3, you should know:

• How your condition might develop
• How to follow your treatment plan if you have one and get support if you need it
• How to find out about research into your condition and how you can get involved if you want to
• What local support is available
• About any organisations which support people with your condition
• How to connect with people with the same condition or in a similar situation to you
• What the impact might be on your life eg. driving, work, hobbies, and where to get more information
• About the Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) and what it means
• About low vision services and how to access them
• About the registration process and what is available to you
• About how to access counselling or emotional support
• About the sight loss condition, Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS), and how it might affect you.
• That you can contact your optician or eye clinic if you have changes in your sight between your appointments.

Who you will meet 

• Ophthalmologists are specialist doctors who diagnose, treat and monitor eye conditions.
• Orthoptists are qualified to identify and treat certain eye conditions such as squints or double vision.
• Ophthalmic Nurses provide nursing care and treatments to people with eye conditions and sight loss.
• Optometrists are also often part of the eye care team in hospitals.
• Eye Care Liaison Officers (ECLOs) are based in hospitals
  around the UK and can provide immediate support following
  a diagnosis. They can talk to you more about what happens next. Check before your appointment to see if your hospital has an ECLO.

At Stage 4, you should know:

• What to expect from registration and what support is available from your Local Authority (Council)
• What vision rehabilitation is and how it can help you
• There may be a wait for vision rehabilitation and what you can access while you wait
• About support available locally and nationally
• About benefits which may be available to you
• What to do if your needs change
• That you can access further support at any time
• That with the right support you can live confidently and independently with your condition
• That you can always get in touch with your low vision service and ECLO for ongoing support with living with sight loss.

Who you will meet

• Vision Rehabilitation Specialists are qualified to support adults with sight loss to enable and empower them to lead independent and fulfilling lives
• Low Vision Specialists help people make the best use of their remaining vision.

For general FAQs, visit: Sight Advice FAQ

Some organisations offer general support to anyone with an eye condition or sight loss, and some are specific to certain conditions. You may find the following organisations helpful:

• The Macular Society
• Glaucoma UK
• Diabetes UK
• Stroke Association
• MS Society
• RNIB
• Retina UK - inherited sight loss

Ask your optician if they have patient leaflets or information available. 

To find out how to register as Sight Impaired (SI) or Severely Sight Impaired (SSI), read our guide, Getting registered as sight impaired

The following organisations offer opportunities for taking part in clinical trials:

National Institute for Health and Care Research
fightforsight.org.uk/our-research
moorfields.nhs.uk/research/ research-opportunities-atmoorfields-roam

Email visionary@visionary.org.uk

rnib.org.uk/sightlinedirectory

gov.uk/driving-eyesight-rules

drivingmobility.org.uk macularsociety.org/support/

daily-life/practical-guides/outabout/driving

glaucoma.uk/care-support/ driving-with-glaucoma

Read our guide, Welfare benefits for people with sight loss

Thomas Pocklington Trust: 020 8995 0880

If you are an ex-Serviceman or woman of any age, no matter how long you served for or how long ago, you can apply for our support at Blindveterans.org.uk

If you also have hearing loss, contact Sense

If you have a learning disability or autism, contact SeeAbility 

If you are from a Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority community, contact BAME Vision

Read our guide, Counselling services for people with sight loss