Caring for someone with sight loss can be rewarding but also challenging. It could be that their sight has gotten worse gradually over a long period or it may have come on quite suddenly. Either way, people with sight loss can experience a deep feeling of grief about what they have lost. They can find it hard to accept that there are so many people, places and things that they will never get to see again, and so many new sights they will never experience. You could also feel a sense of loss too, knowing that you will have to experience so many things alone, without them being able to see them with you.
It could also be the first time you are caring for your friend or relative, or indeed the first time you have been a carer for anyone. And although some carers say they appreciate the chance to spend more time with their friend or family member, it can also be very demanding having to guide someone and effectively be their eyes in every situation.
To help you with this challenging role, we have provided advice and guidance on a range of relevant topics.
When people start to experience sight loss, it can be common for them to avoid seeking an official diagnosis for what might be causing it. Some people don’t want to confront the problem. Others mistakenly think that there is simply nothing that can be done or that their eyesight getting worse is just a normal part of getting older.
It is crucial, however, to seek medical advice as soon as you suspect there may be an issue. At least half of all sight loss is avoidable with early diagnosis and treatment. [1] If the person you care for struggles to leave the house due to a disability or illness, then they are even entitled to an eye test at home.
Following an eye test, a specialist will decide whether their sight is sufficiently affected for them to be registered as visually impaired. Their level of sight loss will determine whether they are registered as ‘severely sight impaired’ (what was previously known as ‘blind’), or ‘sight impaired’ (previously ‘partially sighted’).
If they fit into either category, the ophthalmologist will complete a Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) for them at the end of the eye test. They will send a copy to the person you care for, as well as one to their GP and their local social services team, who will then ask them whether they want to be officially registered as visually impaired. Official registration isn’t compulsory, but it can help them to access support, including a wide range of benefits.
We rely on our sight heavily in our day-to-day activities, so sight loss can affect every part of someone’s life. Everyday tasks can be very difficult for someone with sight loss to do alone, and many people end up needing some additional help.
Being a carer for someone with sight loss can be relentlessly demanding. You may need to guide them much of the time while they move around, particularly when out and about. It is important to try and involve the person you are caring for when guiding them as much as possible. Rather than making decisions for them, ask them where they want to go and how they want to be guided there. Stay one step ahead of them and be particularly on the look out for hazards both on the ground but also at head height. Tell them all about where you are, what you are doing, and who else is there with you both.
Falls are a common problem for people with sight loss. Since half of all falls happen at home [2], it important to try and set up the person you care for's house to be as easy for them to navigate around as possible. Make sure that clutter is kept to a minimum and that all obstacles have plenty of space around them. Ensure that the furniture all stays in the same place, and don’t move any items without telling them. If any liquids are spilt on the floor, be sure to clean them up quickly. Try to make the lights as bright as possible, particularly in the most dangerous areas such as on the stairs or in the kitchen. It can even help people with sight loss if you paint their house in two-tone, high contrast colours like black and white, so that they can more easily see the difference between objects.
There are lots of aids and adaptations that have been designed to help people with sight loss to be as independent as possible. These include everything from long canes to GPS trackers to help when they are out and about by themselves. For further information about what is available, take a look at our guide 'Equipment and assistive aids to help the person you care for'.
If your friend or relative wants to be as independent as possible and could also benefit from some more companionship, it might also be worth applying for them to get a Guide Dog. You can find out more about this on the Guide Dogs website.
And for more specific advice about tasks that you might need to provide support with, take a look at our guide 'Helping someone with everyday tasks'. If the person you care for is an older person, you may find the guide 'Caring for someone who is frail and elderly' useful too. Or if your friend or relative also has issues with their hearing, then you could try taking a look at our guide 'Caring for someone who is deafblind'.
Alongside the normal, day-to-day events, you will occasionally encounter things that are out of the ordinary. Although it is not always easy to plan for these, it can still help to learn more about them in advance so that you feel more prepared. This will help you to stay calm and feel in control in what can sometimes be very stressful situations. Take a look at our guide 'Planning for emergencies as a carer' for more information.
One out-of-the-ordinary event that could occur is the person you care for needing to spend some time in hospital. This could be a planned visit such as for a scheduled operation, or it could come out of the blue, for instance if they have a fall. Our guide 'Caring for someone coming out of hospital' gives an overview of everything you should know about their transition home after a hospital stay.
It is very common to worry about the financial implications of looking after someone, and it can be confusing to understand the support that is available and how you can access it. The good news is we have got a full and comprehensive guide to everything from benefits to grants on our 'Getting financial support as a carer' page.
Caring for someone with sight loss can be a big responsibility, but many people are still able to combine this role with paid external work as well. If you want to be able to do both, take a look at our guide 'Working when you are caring' for advice on how to manage this balance successfully.
Caring for someone with sight loss can significantly affect your relationship with that person. You may be used to just being their partner, son, daughter, sibling, grandchild or friend. You could be more used to them looking after you, rather than the other way around. Becoming their carer can therefore be a big adjustment for you both.
It can even be difficult to accept that you actually are their 'carer'. This can especially be the case if their sight has deteriorated slowly over a long period and you have taken on more caring responsibilities a little bit at a time.
Sometimes caring for someone with sight loss can improve your relationship with them. Some carers find that they become closer with their friend or relative through spending more time with them. In many cases, however, it can put new strains on your relationship.
Alongside this, becoming a carer can also have an impact on all of the other relationships in your life too, both positively and negatively.
For advice and support on ways to manage these changes, take a look at our guide 'How your relationships can change when you become a carer'.
As a carer it is common to prioritise the person you care for’s needs over your own. But it is vital that you make sure you also look after yourself. Not only are your own needs important in themselves, you also need to stay well so that you can keep looking after your friend or relative too. Take a look at our 'Looking after yourself as a carer' guide for advice on how to keep yourself well.
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Visit our online support section where we have provided advice and guidance on a range of relevant topics to help you in your caring role.