Supporting patients with vision loss

Introduction

Receiving a vision loss diagnosis can be a frightening and isolating experience for many people. They may feel confused about what their diagnosis means, scared about how it will impact their daily life, or worried about how they are going to pay for support services and programs.

It’s quite normal for people to feel overwhelmed upon receiving their diagnosis, and therefore struggle to take in much of the information you share with them in that moment. As such, this guide is designed to help you communicate clearly with your patient to ensure they feel in control and ready for what comes next.

Discuss their condition

It’s imperative you provide your patient with a clear diagnosis and an explanation of any treatments available to them. If there are no medical treatments for their condition, do not say that nothing can be done; instead, explain that there are many services and low vision aids that can help them manage life with vision loss.

It can be helpful to ask your patients questions about their daily lives to help identify the sort of supports they will need immediately. Such questions could include: 

• Are you having any difficulties preparing food in the kitchen?
• Do you feel confident using public transport or getting around town on your own?
• Do you feel safe moving around your home, and going up and down stairs?
• Do you have anyone you feel comfortable talking to about your vision loss and how it might impact your life?

Connect your patient to low vision services early on 

Refer your patient to a low vision service provider like Vision Australia as soon as their vision loss starts to impact their daily life. Our team of low vision experts is well-placed to answer any questions your patient has about vision loss.

Offer wellbeing support 

It’s normal for people to experience a wide range of emotions when dealing with a low vision diagnosis. Many people suffer significant emotional distress when they begin to lose their vision, which is why it is so important that you offer support for their mental health as well as their physical health. 

Use this time to ask your patient how they feel about their vision loss, and what are their most immediate concerns. You might not have all the answers, but it’s important your patient feels heard and understood, and this is information you can include in your referral to a low vision service provider. 

Vision Australia offers several wellbeing programs designed to help people who are blind or have low vision to adapt to their vision loss. These include our Quality Living groups and our Check In and Chat program. 

When you refer a patient to Vision Australia, our team will be able to confirm which wellbeing services they are eligible for and help them to access the wellbeing support they need.

Talk about funding support 

Your patients might be entitled to government funding that will help you cover the costs of some services. These include: 

• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for people under 65 years
• My Aged Care for people over 65 years
• Disability Support Pension
• National Companion Card
• Blind Age Pension for people over 65 years. 

There are also some state and territory-based government subsidies to help cover the cost of public transport.

Advice for clinic and reception staff 

Clinic and reception staff have an essential role in providing a positive customer service experience for all patients. To support your clinic and reception staff to best assist patients who are blind or have low vision, please direct them to this helpful guide.