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It is 11:46 am on the 4th February 2012

Visual impairments

As you get older your eyesight changes. 98% of people over the age of 50 years old need glasses to correct their vision.

It is important to have regular eye tests to maintain a good level of vision and so that appropriate new glasses and lenses can be purchased. You can find out more about eye tests in our section on Opticians.

Eye conditions

The following eye conditions typically affect older people.

Six “Wylie Cards” have been launched, illustrating the effects of the six most common eye conditions - macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, hemianopia and retinitis pigmentosa. The credit card sized cards show two iconic views of the Tyne Bridge, one seen through the eyes of someone with full vision, the other as seen through the eyes of someone with a visual impairment, who can use the cards to demonstrate their condition to friends, family, colleagues and strangers.

Wylie Cards are available for free to visually impaired people living in Newcastle from the following locations:

Wylie Cards are also available to buy for training purposes or for use by the visually impaired outside of Newcastle.

Cataract

This condition makes the lens inside the eye cloudy, instead of clear. If you have a cataract you may find that your vision seems misty and blurred, especially in strong sunlight.

Cataracts are most commonly age-related. Most people aged over 60 years old will have some clouding of the lens, which may or may not affect their vision. Most cases of cataracts can be treated easily though, by a surgical procedure to remove the cloudy lens and to replace it with an artificial clear lens. This is generally performed under local anaesthetic and you can usually go home the same day. Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the NHS.

For further details, see the RNIB's information on Cataracts.

Macular degeneration

This condition is when fluid leaks behind the retina and a black spot appears in the centre of a person's vision. People with this condition find it difficult to read, watch television, and recognise people.

If you have this condition, there are a variety of optical aids available which can help you to make the most of your remaining sight.

For further details, see the RNIB's information on Age-related macular degeneration.

Glaucoma

This condition is the result of a build-up of pressure in the eye, causing injury to the optic nerve at the back of the eye.

In the majority of cases, glaucoma occurs over a period of time. If it is found and treated early enough, vision will not be lost.

Glaucoma can run in the family and you should tell your optician if there is a family history. Eye tests for the over 40s should include a screening for this condition. People aged over 40 years old who are related to someone with glaucoma can also claim free eye tests.

For further details, see the RNIB's information on Glaucoma.

Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetics may experience some problems with their eyesight. Changes at the back of the eye may result in your vision becoming patchy and blurred. Often you won't notice any changes in your vision in the early stages, so regular eye tests are very important.

Laser treatment is usually given to stop this condition getting any worse. You can also stop your sight deteriorating by controlling your diabetes.

For further details, see the RNIB's information on Diabetes related eye conditions.

Stroke

A stroke can damage the function of the brain and can cause problems with your eyesight. You may be unable to see things on the side of your body that has been affected.

Registering as sight impaired

If you have serious sight loss you can register with Newcastle City Council as being sight impaired or seriously sight impaired (this used to be known as registering as partially sighted or blind). Being registered as seriously sight impaired doesn't usually mean that you can't see at all; most people who are registered do have some useful vision.

Registering can help you to get practical support. It is a 'passport' to concessions and can help when claiming some benefits. Newcastle City Council keeps the register, which is held by the Adult Services Directorate. The register is completely confidential.

The benefits of registration

There are two categories of registration:

If you are registered as seriously sight impaired you are entitled to receive:

You may also be entitled to receive:

If you are registered as sight impaired you are entitled to receive:

For more information on the registration process and the benefits of registering, contact RNIB using the details given below.

Practical help

Aids and equipment

There are a number of practical aids to help you with daily living. Examples of these include talking alarm clocks and watches, task lighting, bath water level guards and iron guards. These kinds of aids are available from Adult Services and the Disabled Living Foundation.

You can also try out some equipment at the Independent Living Resource Centre at Disability North.

RNIB React system

Newcastle is one of the first places in the country to use the RNIB React system, with 17 speaking signs installed on Northumberland Street, Blackett Street, Percy Street and Thomas Street and on the way to the city’s eye clinic at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. A further 15 signs have also been installed on the Metro system, with five more placed at the new look Haymarket Metro station.

The React system sees speaker units fixed to lampposts which are triggered by an electronic fob carried by users. When the speaker is activated it tells the user where they are and what is around them.

Fobs are available free of charge on short term loan to people visiting the city from tourist information centres, the RVI and Nexus travel offices. A deposit will be required for fobs from Nexus travel offices or tourist information centres that will be refuned when the fob is returned. Longer term loans are available from Guide Dogs for the Blind, Newcastle Sensory Support Service and the Newcastle Society for the Blind.

More information is available from Accessible Services on (0191) 277 7529 or email disabilityequality@newcastle.gov.uk.

Reading assistance

Calibre Audio Library is a registered charity which provides a postal-based lending service of audio books on cassette tapes, CDs and in MP3 format. Its absolutely free with no subscription, no fines, no postage costs and no charge for lost or damaged books. Calibre is a nationwide service with 19,000 members, and all their books are recorded unabridged - so you can listen to your favourites, at home or on the move. And as it is a postal service, you can exchange your books as often as you like. Currently there are over 8,000 titles in the library, including the latest bestsellers, classic fiction, detective stories, romances, and popular non-fiction like biography and travel.

The library is really easy to use. If you want to choose your own books, Calibre’s staff can help, but if you prefer, you can tell them what sort of books you like and they will choose for you - based on your preferences. Although the CDs and MP3 formats give better sound quality than cassettes, Calibre are committed to maintaining the cassette service for as long as possible - especially for older people.

If you would like to know more, or if you are interested in joining the library, conta ct them using the details below, or visit the website.

Thunder is a free, talking computer software package promoted by Screenreader.net. It enables visually-impaired users to hear what is on the screen, access the internet, write e-mails and letters. Thunder can be used to access on-line banking, read scanned bank statements and bills, and keep track of family finances, overcoming many of the barriers to financial inclusion that visually-impaired people face. Available support includes email, a telephone helpline, newsletters and web resources.

For further information or to download Thunder visit the Screenreader.net website.

Browsealoud reads web pages aloud for people who find it difficult to read online. Reading large amounts of text on screen can be difficult for those with literacy and visual impairments. Browsealoud makes using the Internet easier for people who have:

For further information and to download Browsealoud, visit the website, or contact them using the details below.

Local information and advice

The RNIB's Eye Clinic Liaison Officer, Sally Baylis, is based at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI). Sally can offer you emotional support, advice and information at any stage of sight loss. You don't need to be referred from another health professional to see her and you don't necessarily need an appointment. Sally can also give you a referral to other services. To find out more, contact Sally using the details given below.

Newcastle Society for Blind People offer a range of services including a library group, social and lunch groups and a voluntary support group. To find out more, contact them using the details given below, or visit their website.

The North Regional Association For Sensory Support (NRASS) provides a free advocacy scheme for people with hearing and sight loss. Their advocates are people who can support or represent you when dealing with everyday problems or in times of crisis. They can offer you support with information on how you can stand up for your rights, and they can be your 'voice' if you don't have the confidence to stand up for yourself in formal situations. For more information, contact their Gateshead office using the details given below.

The Sensory Support Team is a specialist team who are part of Adult and Culture Services, Newcastle City Council. They are based at the Shielfield Centre on Stoddard Street. They work with any adult over the age of 18 who has a sensory impairment. This could be someone who is blind, partially sighted, deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind.

The team usually visit people at home to assess their difficulties. This is what they call a needs-based assessment. Staff always aim to work with a person and to agree with them a plan of action.

Following the assessment, they may provide equipment such as personal loops to help hear the TV, portable doorbells, liquid level indicators, or talking clocks. They may offer training from a Rehabilitation Worker to enable a visually-impaired person to cook or get out and about safely. They may carry out minor adaptations to property, to improve lighting, for example. They may arrange an ongoing care service in the home, day care or a short break to relieve a carer.

To give people more choice and control, staff offer a direct payment as an alternative, so that they can make their own arrangements if they wish. Any training, equipment or advice is always provided free to Newcastle residents; but for services such as home care or an ongoing Direct Payment, there is a financial assessment.

To find out more, contact them using the details given below, or visit their website.

Tyneside Recreation Club for the Blind aims to provide a varied programme of sport, social and recreational activities for blind and visually impaired people of all ages. To find out more, contact them using the details given below.

Other useful organisations

  • Henshaws Society for Blind People
  • Look Up
  • RNIB (Royal National Institute of the Blind)

    • Please note - The content on this website is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. If you are feeling unwell, make an appointment to see your GP or contact NHS Direct. In an emergency, dial 999.

    Contact Information

    British Wireless for the Blind Fund
    Gabriel House, 34 New Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4QR.
    Telephone : 01634 832 501, Fax : 01634 817 485.
    Email : info@blind.org.uk

    BrowseAloud
    Texthelp Systems Ltd, Enkalon Industrial Estate, 25 Randalstown Road, Antrim, Northern Ireland, BT41 4LJ.
    Telephone : 028 9442 8105, Fax : 028 9442 8574.
    Email : info@browselaoud.com

    Calibre Audio Library
    Aylesbury, Bucks, HP22 5XQ.
    Telephone : 01296 432 339, Fax : 01296 392 599.
    Email : enquiries@calibre.org.uk

    Disability North
    The Dene Centre, Castle Farm Road, Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 1PH.
    Telephone : 0191 284 0480, Fax : 0191 213 0910, Minicom : 0191 285 7261.
    Email : reception@disabilitynorth.org.uk

    Disabled Living Foundation
    380-384 Harrow Road, London, W9 2HU.
    Telephone : 020 7289 6111, Telephone Helpline : 0845 130 9177, Minicom : 020 7432 8009.
    Email : info@dlf.org.uk

    Eye Clinic Liaison Officer
    Eye Department, Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI), Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4LP.
    Telephone : 0191 282 0221.

    Newcastle Society for Blind People
    3rd Floor, MEA House, Ellison Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8XS.
    Telephone : 0191 232 7292.
    Email : info@nsbp.co.uk

    North Regional Association for Sensory Support (NRASS)
    Greenesfield Business Centre, Mulgrave Terrace, Gateshead, NE8 1PQ.
    Telephone : 0191 490 9166, Fax : 0191 490 9167, Minicom : 0191 490 9165.
    Email : office@northregions.org.uk

    RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People)
    105 Judd Street, London, WC1H 9NE.
    Telephone : 020 7388 1266, Telephone Helpline : 0845 766 9999, Fax : 020 7388 2034.

    Sensory Support Team - Newcastle Adult Services Directorate
    Shieldfield Centre, 4-8 Clarence Walk, Shieldfield, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 1AL.
    Telephone : 0191 278 8100, Fax : 0191 278 8188, Minicom : 0191 278 8266.
    Email : sensory.support@newcastle.gov.uk

    Tyneside Recreation Club for the Blind
    P.O. Box 19, Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7XY.
    Telephone : 0191 266 8315.
    Email : trc4blind@blueyonder.co.uk

    Article last updated December 14, 2011 1:15 pm

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