Low Vision Assessment Clinic

Patient Information Leaflet

The appointment

Your appointment for this service will be at: The Guest Outpatient Centre

When you attend this clinic, you will be seen by one of the team of orthoptists who have been trained to help people experiencing difficulty with their vision. They will assess your vision for near and distance and will discuss with you any problems or difficulties you may have with daily tasks due to your reduced vision.

Please bring any glasses you may have with you, even if you feel they are of little benefit. Also, if you already have any magnifying aids, it is useful for the orthoptists to see them and how you are using them.

Please also bring with you anything you are particularly trying to read, for example, a favourite magazine or puzzle book, and let us know if you are finding it difficult to watch television.

During the assessment, the orthoptist will suggest ways to improve your ability to read, write, or undertake other activities. This may include tips on lighting, technique or by using a magnifying aid.

If the assessment indicates that a magnifier will be helpful to you, it will be given to you on loan. If you lose or break your magnifier, please phone the Orthoptic Department on 01384 456111 ext. 3636 and we will arrange a replacement.

We do not routinely give out follow-up appointments, but we do recommend that if you are unhappy with your magnifier and feel that your vision has changed, you should ring up and book a review with one of the orthoptic low vision advisors on 01384 456111 ext. 3636. They will be happy to see you and a re-assessment might indicate that a magnifier needs changing.

Please feel free to bring someone with you to the appointment as we are happy to discuss areas of concern with you and those close to you.

Care of your magnifier

Magnifying lenses can be cleaned with a lens cloth. Some magnifiers come with a detachable head that can be washed with soapy water.

If a magnifying aid does not help you

Magnifying aids unfortunately do not help everyone who has a vision problem. The orthoptist can arrange for you to see or talk to the eye clinic liaison officer (ECLO) who may be able to give you advice on help and support available in the community.

Useful contacts

Eye clinic liaison officer (RHH) Tel: 01384 456111 ext. 3639

Visual Impairment Team (Dudley) Tel: 0300 555 0055

RNIB helpline Tel: 0303 123 9999

Beacon Centre Tel: 01902 880 111

Note: the information in this booklet is provided for information only. The information found is not a substitute for professional medical advice or care by a qualified doctor or other health care professional. Always check with your orthoptist if you have any concerns about your condition or treatment. This is only indicative and general information for the procedure. Individual experiences may vary and all the points may not apply to all patients at all times. Please discuss your individual circumstances with your orthoptist.

The Urgent Referral Clinic team at Russells Hall Hospital Eye Clinic: 01384 456111 ext. 3633 (9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday).

If there is anything you do not understand, or you are concerned or worried about any part of the treatment, please contact The Urgent Referral Clinic team.

Eye emergency, out of hours

In case of an eye emergency after the closing hours of the Eye Clinic (including weekends and bank holidays), please contact the eye doctor on call by ringing the switchboard at:

Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre on 0121 507 4440

The doctor on call is usually based at the Eye Centre, City Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham. They may need to call you back, and if necessary, they will arrange for you to visit them.

We are always happy to answer any questions regarding your child’s treatment. If after reading this leaflet you still have concerns or questions, please call the department on 01384 456111 ext. 3636.

Author
Louise Kimpton
Highly special orthoptist

For further information visit:

www.orthoptics.org.uk/patients-and-public/

If you have any questions, or if there is anything you do not understand, please contact the Russells Hall Hospital switchboard number on 01384 456111 and ask for the relevant department who issued this leaflet.

If you have any feedback on this patient information leaflet please email dgft.patient.information@nhs.net

This leaflet can be made available in large print, audio version and in other languages, please call 0800 073 0510.

LVA CS/LK/ST/DP/09 2024/v4 – review 06.2027 DGH/PIL/02035