Certificate of Visual Impairment
A certificate of visual impairment may be issued to a patient if
their consultant feels that they have poor vision (with glasses on
if required) that is unlikely to improve that fits the required
standards.
As a guide, in order to be registered as severely sight impaired
(blind), your sight has to fall into one of these categories,
whilst wearing any glasses or contact lenses that you may need:
- visual acuity of less than 3/60 with a full visual field
- visual acuity of between 3/60 and 6/60 with a severe reduction
in field of vision such as tunnel vision
- visual acuity of 6/60 or above but with a very reduced field of
vision, especially if a lot of sight is missing in the lower part
of the field
In order to be registered as sight impaired (partially sighted)
your sight has to fall into one of these categories, whilst wearing
any glasses or contact lenses that you may need:
- visual acuity of 3/60 to 6/60 with a full field of vision
- visual acuity of up to 6/24 with a moderate reduction of field
of vision or with a central part of the vision that is cloudy or
blurry
- visual acuity of up to 6/18 if a large part of your field of
vision, for example a whole half of your vision, is missing or a
lot of your peripheral vision is missing
If you feel that your sight falls into any of these categories,
then you may wish to discuss the possibility of registration with
your consultant, optician or GP. ECLO and Patient Support Nurse are
also able to discuss the process although only a consultant
ophthalmologist can sign the certificate and make the final
decision as to whether you fulfil the registration criteria.
A certificate of visual impairment may be issued to a patient if
their consultant feels that they have poor vision (with glasses on
if required) that is unlikely to improve that fits the required
standards.
As a guide, in order to be registered as severely sight impaired
(blind), your sight has to fall into one of these categories,
whilst wearing any glasses or contact lenses that you may need:
- visual acuity of less than 3/60 with a full visual field
- visual acuity of between 3/60 and 6/60 with a severe reduction
in field of vision such as tunnel vision
- visual acuity of 6/60 or above but with a very reduced field of
vision, especially if a lot of sight is missing in the lower part
of the field
In order to be registered as sight impaired (partially sighted)
your sight has to fall into one of these categories, whilst wearing
any glasses or contact lenses that you may need:
- visual acuity of 3/60 to 6/60 with a full field of vision
- visual acuity of up to 6/24 with a moderate reduction of field
of vision or with a central part of the vision that is cloudy or
blurry
- visual acuity of up to 6/18 if a large part of your field of
vision, for example a whole half of your vision, is missing or a
lot of your peripheral vision is missing
If you feel that your sight falls into any of these categories,
then you may wish to discuss the possibility of registration with
your consultant, optician or GP. Mary and Laura are also able to
discuss the process, although only a consultant ophthalmologist can
sign the certificate and make the final decision as to whether you
fulfil the registration criteria.
If you have been seen at Bristol Eye Hospital within the last
three months and have had an eye test then we can use these results
to decide whether you fit the criteria. However, if your last eye
test was longer than three months ago or you have been discharged
then you will need to be seen again by one of our clinicians. We
are unable to accept eye test results from your own optician. If
you have been discharged then you will need to be referred to us by
your GP or optician. You may wish to make an appointment with your
optician as they will be able to tell you whether you are likely to
fulfil the criteria for registration although they will not be able
to complete and sign the form.
