Low Vision:
Community optometrists and Dispensing Opticians are in an ideal position to signpost and direct patients with visual impairments to local services and voluntary support groups. It is not necessary for a patient to be registered as sight impaired to access these resources.
Access to local ECLO Services:
ECLO’s or Eye Care Liaison Officers offer emotional and practical support to enable people with sight loss to live their lives to the full and as independently as possible. People with sight loss can be assisted through Low Vision Assessments, including magnifiers and illumination as well as technology support and training.
Frimley ICB area:
Frimley Park Hospital, Portsmouth Road, Frimley, Surrey, GU16 7UJ
Phone: 01372 377701
Email: dutyeclo@sightforsurrey.org.uk
King Edward VII Hospital, St Leonards Road, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 3DP
Phone: 07771 624195
Email: sonya.nikchevska@nhs.net
Royal Berkshire Hospital, Craven Road, reading, Berkshire, RG1 5AN
Phone: 07771 624195
Email: sarah.short7@nhs.net
Surrey Heartlands ICB area:
Kingston Hospital, Galsworthy Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, KT2 7QB
Phone: 07543 302875 or 07864 936720
Email: khft.kingstoneclo@nhs.net
Staff member: Eshita Unadkat and Fiona Duffy
St George’s Hospital Moorfields Eye Clinic, ECLO Office, 5th Floor, Duke Elder Ward, Moorfields Eye Centre at St George’s, Blackshaw Road, Tooting, London, SW17 OQT
Phone: 07546 693105
Email: moorfields.stgeorgeseclo@nhs.net
ECLO for the following hospitals can be contacted by Sight for Surrey:
Phone: 01372 377701
Email: dutyeclo@sightforsurrey.org.uk
Ashford and St Peter’s Hospital, London Road, Ashford, Surrey, TW15 3AA
East Surrey (SASH), Canada Avenue, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 5RH
Epsom General Hospital, Dorking Road, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 7EG
Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XX
Sight for Surrey:
Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey – Sight for Surrey
Additional information for supporting patients with sight loss can be found here:
Seeing-Beyond-the-Eyes-Resource-Pack 2018
Further information on ECLO support can be found on the RNIB Sight Directory:
Sightline Directory – services and organisations | RNIB | RNIB
Certification for Visual Impairment:
A consultant Ophthalmologist assesses a persons eligibility for certification for severely sight impaired (blind) and sight impaired (partially sighted).
Severely Sight Impaired:
Visual acuity of less than 3/60 with a full field
Visual acuity between 3/60 and 6/60 with a severe reduction of field of vision, such as tunnel vision
Visual acuity of 6/60 or above but very very reduced field of vision, especially if the loss is in the inferior field
Sight Impaired:
Visual acuity of 3/60 to 6/60 with a full field of vision
Visual acuity of between 6/60 and 6/24 with a moderate reduction of field of vision, cloudiness of vision, or lens has been removed without a replacement lens
Visual acuity of 6/18 or even better if there is significant field loss, such loss of the whole half of your vision or significant loss of peripheral vision
Support for patients:
RNIB Starting_Out_-_Making_the_most_of_your_sight_2023