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Eye Service | Our services | Low vision clinic

Barts and The London Eye Service

Low vision clinic

The low vision clinic offers assessment and management for patients who have been diagnosed with visual impairment. The clinic provides optical aids, viewing techniques and links patients with support services so that they can maintain happy and independent lifestyles.

Unfortunately there are times when a person’s vision is impaired and cannot be further improved with surgery, laser, medicines or normal glasses.

In these cases other aids such as magnifiers and telescopes may be of benefit.  On your first appointment the optometrist will discuss your visual needs with you and the environment you live/work in to determine the most suitable devices.

A refraction may be carried out to determine your best vision. The optometrist will then demonstrate the devices suitable for you and give advice on electronic aids, such as closed circuit televisions.

A wide range of products are available on loan from the low vision clinic.  The optometrist will also give you advice on how lighting and contrast can be used and how these can maximise your vision. 

Once a month, we run a low vision clinic specifically for Bengali/Bangladeshi patients. Our Bengali link worker is of Bengali origin and has a visual impairment herself. This enables patients to meet with someone who is from the same cultural background with a visual impairment.

Patients are able to meet with a hospital information officer from the Metropolitan Society for the Blind, who can provide support and advice for patients of all ages and their families and carers, which includes information on local and national services such as social services, rehabilitation, occupational therapists and the assistance available from the voluntary sector.

The hospital support officer can also provide information regarding specialist aids and equipment, welfare rights/grants, registration, training, advocacy and leisure pursuits.

All patients are given regular follow-up appointments with the low vision clinic. This allows patients to use their low vision aids and techniques they were taught in their daily lives, and to then try other low vision aids as required. Patients may also meet with the hospital support officer again, as new problems are identified.