Information for patients with sight loss

Do you have sight loss affecting your work, studies, or independence?

Specialist advice and support are available locally from your Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO).  ECLOs help anyone with sight loss, their relatives and carers access the support they need, when they need it.  If you wish to discuss your situation, please contact the local eye clinic and ask for an appointment or ask your GP to refer you for advice.

Ask your Optometrist or Optician about a referral to the Eye Clinic Liaison Officer Service

Gateshead and South Tyneside  Sense Ability Matters (formerly Sight Service/Vision & Hearing Support) is the local provider of services and support for people who are visually impaired. Their advice, information, and support can enable visually impaired people to have the quality of life which many sighted people take for granted.

In Gateshead, they also run an NHS funded Community-based Low Vision Service, providing advice, magnifiers and other aids to help people retain independence, for those who live in Gateshead.  Sense Ability Matters also provides visual awareness training to employers.

Telephone: 0191 478 5959 or email: sightservice478.team@nhs.net

Northumberland   BID Services provides an assessment, rehabilitation and housing support service to adults living with a visual impairment. Their service also supports young people aged 16 and over who are in transition to adult services.

Vision Northumberland   (formally Northumberland County Blind Association) is a local voluntary association working for visually impaired people throughout Northumberland.

North Tyneside     Pearey House was established in 1873, they are a centre for adults who have a visual impairment. The Iris is a welcoming hub for visually impaired people, their families, friends and the whole community to meet have a cuppa, cake and a chat.

Newcastle Vision Support, formerly Newcastle Society for Blind People, was first established in 1867 and has been supporting visually impaired and blind people in Newcastle for 150 years. They work closely with other organisations to ensure that the people of Newcastle with sight loss benefit from our combined skills and knowledge.

The Sunderland and County Durham Royal Society for the Blind strives to provide a broad range of services for members and the wider blind and visually impaired community.

Claire Campbell has personal and professional experience of visual impairment and can offer counselling via telephone (0797 1442 293).