1. Stevie Johnson and Joshua Feehan Evidence and Service Impact, RNIB
Support for your patient: Eye Clinic Liaison Officers and Rehabilitation Officers
Stevie Johnson and Joshua Feehan
Evidence and Service Impact, RNIB

2. Sight Loss Journey – an example
Case study

3. Role of the ECLO / Sight Loss Adviser
Provide personalised practical and emotional support in the eye clinic - ongoing as needs change
Bridge between health and social care
Signpost or make referrals to other local and national services and organisations
Assist with the certification and registration process
Point of contact, enabling patients and carers to understand the journey and processes more clearly

4. Back to our case study – what happens next...
Referred to / see’s the ECLO
Emotional support
Practical advice
Referrals to other services i.e Rehab
Certification and Registration?
Support for family members, friends, others

5. Sight Loss Advisor personal story

6. l 50% increase of number of over 65 year olds estimated by 2047 St

7. Sight loss in the Midlands?
410,000 estimated to have some form of sight loss
Approx 60,000 with dual sensory loss
Approx 20,000 with significant sight loss and dementia
20% of stroke survivors with some form of sight loss after stroke
Over 1.25 million ophthalmic appointments across the 27 trusts in the Midlands last year
Less than 50% of trusts have an ECLO in place
All local authorities in the Midlands have vision rehabilitation provision (Care Act 2014)

8. What is Vision Rehabilitation?
Crucial part of the sight loss journey
Rehabilitation Worker
Vision rehabilitation gives blind and partially sighted people the skills and confidence to:
Live more safely and independently at home
Travel independently including safely crossing roads
Utilise technology including smart phones
Remain in employment

9. Vision Rehabilitation Personal Story

10. How can you help?
Ask your patient the question
Refer patients with sight loss for vision rehab support
You can refer a patient to vision rehab more than once
Rehab can support medication management
Good practice in vision rehabilitation principles
Know if there is an ECLO in your local eye clinic
Check the ECLO register
Know RNIB helpline number

11. Useful Links
Vision Rehabilitation good practice principles –
Sight loss: What we needed to know -
ECLO Register -
RNIB Helpline -   or