Help for the partially sighted?

gardenia101

sh1305 wrote: »

As well as this, they also offer mobility training. Your local low vision clinic can also give you some visual aids to use - but it's the cheap hand-held ones.

I've been asking for an appointment at the low vision clinic since this started in May, but as I'm having treatment & my vision has improved a little, my consultant says there is no point in me being seen by the low vision team until he knows what my "end point" vision will be, as I may get given something that will become useless to me. I understand the theory of this, but it is right now that I could use some help. My treatment could go on for years, & I've told them I need aids now but he just wont refer me. Frustrating isn't the word...:mad:

Luckily I was loaned a magnifier by social services & as they now dont have anyone in their sound & vision team (see above post) I'm hoping I'll be able to hang onto it for a while. It was only supposed to be for a weeks loan, but then she went off sick....

Still doing battle with DWP/HMRC for large print letters - but a small victory today when my tax credits award came as large print! Hurrah - it's only taken 5 weeks... & now I have to phone them again to tell them my ESA has increased...

Indie_Kid

gardenia101 wrote: »

I've been asking for an appointment at the low vision clinic since this started in May, but as I'm having treatment & my vision has improved a little, my consultant says there is no point in me being seen by the low vision team until he knows what my "end point" vision will be, as I may get given something that will become useless to me.

I don't get this. My visual condition varies daily. I have days where I can read standard print with no problem and days where large print is a problem. (normal for my particular condition) Despite this fact, I've been seeing someone from the low vision clinic on & off for the last 3 years.

Savvy_Sue

I don't know if this idea would help, and I know it's a huge faff when it should be simple just to get letters in large print, but if you have a scanner, would it help to scan letters onto the computer and then increase size on screen?

gardenia101

sh1305 wrote: »

I don't get this. My visual condition varies daily. I have days where I can read standard print with no problem and days where large print is a problem. (normal for my particular condition) Despite this fact, I've been seeing someone from the low vision clinic on & off for the last 3 years.

That is how I thought it would work to be honest - I was hoping that I'd be given something & if my sight improved/deteriorated then I'd give it back & get loaned something else! I was also told that low vision clinic appointments are single appointments - if you needed to be seen again then you'd have to be referred by your consultant again, & go back to the bottom of the (already long) waiting list. :wall:

Seems utter madness to me - the way it seems to work for you appears so much better! Different PCTs I guess. I used to work for the same PCT & a local GP surgery so I know how "inefficient" the NHS can be. The words ar se & elbow spring to mind.

Just finding it all rather frustrating - I know thereis help out there but it seems so much harder to access than it should be. I will ask again at my next hospital appointment...

gardenia101

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I don't know if this idea would help, and I know it's a huge faff when it should be simple just to get letters in large print, but if you have a scanner, would it help to scan letters onto the computer and then increase size on screen?

I don't have one yet, but I'll definitely think about getting one. Good idea - thanks :beer:

Indie_Kid

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I don't know if this idea would help, and I know it's a huge faff when it should be simple just to get letters in large print, but if you have a scanner, would it help to scan letters onto the computer and then increase size on screen?

I do this. There are also pieces of equipment you can buy (they're at least £1000 each) where you put the piece of paper on the tray and the print comes up on the screen. I've used one before and they're brilliant.

However, they are expensive and I'll stick with my scanner.

Owain_Moneysaver

gardenia101 wrote: »

What computer software do you use? I just have a magnifier with Vista that splits the screen & enlarges the top half. It's OK but quite slow to move about sites.

Have you tried the Opera web browser? It's got a very good zoom feature that lets you whizz in and out of web pages with just control+mousewheel

studiorex

There are very few benefits in being registered partially sighted. Are you able to be re-classified as registered blind. lso your TV licence should be notified. They will back date any payments since you were registered PS or blind.