Makindo Medical Notes

In the UK, patients over the age of 60 are entitled to free eye checks every two years, which helps in the early detection of visual impairments and eye conditions.

About

• Legal Definition of Blindness in the UK: Legal blindness refers to severely reduced vision that cannot be fully corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery. It affects the ability to perform everyday tasks.
• To be considered legally blind, a person's vision must be worse than 3/60, meaning they are unable to see at 3 metres what a person with normal vision can see at 60 metres (20/400 or worse).
• In cases of severe visual field loss (i.e., tunnel vision), a person may still be considered legally blind if their visual field is less than 6/60, even if their visual acuity is better than 3/60.

How is Legal Blindness Assessed?

• Consultation with an Ophthalmologist: Only a certified Consultant Ophthalmologist can determine legal blindness in the UK. After thorough examinations, they will decide whether a person meets the criteria for registration as blind or partially sighted.
• Eye Tests: The assessment typically involves:
  • Visual Acuity Test: This determines the clarity or sharpness of your vision. The patient will be asked to read letters on a chart at a set distance, and the result is expressed in a fraction (e.g., 6/60, 3/60).
  • Visual Field Test: This test measures peripheral vision, detecting any gaps or restrictions. It is especially important for individuals with conditions like glaucoma that can severely reduce peripheral vision (tunnel vision).
  • Refractive Tests: These are done to check if vision can be improved with corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses). Legal blindness is considered only after excluding the potential for improvement with correction.
• Certification: If the patient meets the legal criteria for blindness or partial sight, the ophthalmologist will complete a Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI). This certificate is sent to the local council, who can assist with registering the patient as blind or partially sighted.

Benefits of Being Registered as Legally Blind

• People registered as blind in the UK are eligible for several social and financial benefits:
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA): Financial support for daily living or mobility needs.
  • Access to Local Authority Support: Including mobility training, home adaptations, and assistive technologies.
  • Tax Benefits: Blind persons are entitled to certain tax allowances, such as the blind person's allowance, which provides a higher personal tax-free allowance.
  • Travel Benefits: Free or discounted public transport, such as a free travel pass, and assistance with travel costs for companions.
  • Blue Badge Parking: Provides access to disabled parking spaces to make travelling easier.
  • Discounts: Access to discounts on utility bills, TV licenses, and free services such as the NHS Eye Examination Scheme.
• Registration also ensures access to specialised social services and support groups, such as the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), which provides additional resources and assistance.

Conditions Leading to Legal Blindness

• Many different eye conditions can lead to legal blindness, including:
  • Macular Degeneration
  • Glaucoma
  • Cataracts (severe cases)
  • Diabetic Retinopathy
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa

What Happens After Registration?

• Once registered, patients will receive support from local councils and charities. They will also be added to the local register of visually impaired people, which allows them to access services, rehabilitation, and mobility training to help with daily living.
• Local authorities may also offer home modifications, such as improved lighting or large-print books, and training for using assistive devices (e.g., screen readers, magnification software).

References

• Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
• Government Guidelines for Certification of Visual Impairment (CVI)