1. Who, When, How, What do they get?

2. Who? Voluntary registration. Only 1/3 of eligible people are registered Being registered blind means inability to perform any work for which eyesight is essential. i.e. Dont have to be totally without sight. Commonest causes 1) macular degeneration 2) diabetic retinopathy.

3. When? Registered Blind if:- Acuity <3/60 Or very restricted field of view and acuity better than 3/60 but worse than 6/60. Registered Partially Sighted if:- Acuity between 3/60 and 6/60.

4. How? Patients with reduced vision need a one off referral to a Consultant Opthalmologist. Consultant applies to social services for blindness registration using form CV1.

5. What do they get? Should be offered an assessment of needs via social care. Assessment of special educational needs. Training in Braille if required. Increased DLA rates. Reduced price TV licence. Disabled parking badge (although obviously cant drive!)

6. DVLA Guidelines Must be able to read number plate at 20m. If unable to do so, licence revoked. OK to drive if colour blind. If loss of vision in 1 eye, must tell DVLA but can continue to drive if other eye good enough (though cant have class 2 licence). If have diplopia, must stop driving until sx resolve.

7. NHS Eye Tests Free eye tests every 2 years if:- <16 yrs. 16, 17, 18 and in full time education. >60 yrs. Registered blind/ partially sighted. Under care of opthalmologist. On certain benefits.