About Sight Loss

Across the UK, more than 2 million people are living with sight loss. Of these, around 340,000 are registered as blind or partially sighted. 

Understanding sight loss

Nearly 80% of people living with sight loss are aged 65 or older, with 61% of visually impaired people being women.

In the UK it’s reported that blind and partially sighted people are twice as likely to be inactive than those without sight loss. As a result, one in two people have stated that sight loss stops them from exercising and being more active in their daily lives.

Visual impairment can occur due to many factors, ranging from genetic conditions to age relate diseases. Therefore, early detection, regular eye examinations, and appropriate care is essential for helping to manage sight loss and continue with daily activities.

Language and Terminology

You won’t always need to understand the specific medical conditions that cause sight loss. However, it can be useful to understand the different terminology used to describe it.

Sight loss

Sight loss is a concise way of describing a wide range of conditions, but not everyone will recognise or identify with the term.

Visual impairment

Visual impairment is a general term used to describe the full spectrum of sight loss from blind to partially sighted. While it’s more commonly used by professionals, some blind people may choose to use it.

Registered as sight impaired

Registration simply means being on a local social services register of people who are either severely sight impaired (blind) or sight impaired (partially sighted). It is voluntary.

Partially sighted

Partially sighted is used to describe people with some useful vision. For example, a person may be able to navigate around but not recognise people from a distance.

Blind

Blind is commonly used to describe total, or near total sight loss. Although it’s important to remember that blind doesn’t always mean a person has no sight at all.

Visual acuity

Visual acuity is a person’s ability to see fine details.

Visual field

Visual field describes the boundaries of what a person can see in one instant.

Do use everyday language

you don’t have to avoid using words like ‘see’ but people do refer to their condition differently so always ask how a person identifies with their sight loss and be respectful by using the terminology they prefer.

Additional equipment or support needsPeople use many techniques to help them navigate the world around them. For those with visual impairment, they may use one or more of the following mobility aids:

  • A symbol/signal/short cane is typically swept across the floor in front of a person to ensure they do not bump into obstacles. However, it can also be used to notify other people of a person with sight loss.
  • A long cane is swept or tapped across the floor in front of the person to provide information about any obstacles. A long cane with red markings on it can also indicate that a person has hearing loss or is deafblind.
  • A guide dog is trained to help the individual with mobility. They can provide support on routes they are familiar with, but can’t navigate on unknown routes, nor can they read signs. Guide dogs are not trained to be afloat so you will need to provide facilities for them to be cared for ashore (in most cases).
  • A friend or carer may act as a guide and help with mobility and navigation. Guiding a blind or partially sighted person is where the visually impaired will hold the elbow of the helper.

Further considerations

Everyone is different in the way they experience sight loss. For some it can change throughout the day or from one day to the next. Light conditions, glare, colour contrasts, how tired someone might be, sensory overload and familiarity with surroundings can all have an effect.

For some, sight might be stable and for others it may deteriorate over time. One person may have been visually impaired since birth, and another may have developed sight loss later in life. Those with visual impairment can also have other disabilities or health conditions. For example, hearing loss, learning difficulties, poor mental health, or limited mobility.

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