A person is visually impaired or has 'low vision' if they cannot see well enough to carry out some everyday tasks, even when wearing their glasses or contact lenses.

It is a common misconception that people who are 'blind' cannot see anything at all. Most people with low vision benefit from help with managing their residual vision.

Our low vision clinic sees any patient who has difficulty with their vision, despite wearing a vision correction such as glasses. Most of our patients have vision which is impaired in some way, but we are also happy to see
patients whose vision is normal but struggle with very demanding visual tasks. Patients certainly don't have to be registered as visually impaired to attend the clinic.

During an appointment our low vision experts will discuss your vision and any difficulties that you are having. We will assess your visual function and suggest low vision aids that may help with difficult tasks, which can be purchased. We will also suggest other services that may be helpful to consult and arrange referrals where appropriate.

Our low vision clinic works closely with the Eye Clinics at Addenbrookes and Hinchingbrooke Hospitals, with the Sensory Services team at Cambridgeshire County Council, and with voluntary organisations Cam Sight and Hunts Society for the Blind.

All low vision clinic appointments are carried out by final year optometry students under the direct supervision of a qualified optometrist experienced in low vision practice, normally Dr Keziah Latham. Students gain tremendous experience by working in the low vision clinic, which helps them to learn how to manage their patients with visual difficulties once they are themselves qualified.

Low Vision Clinic Images