Low Vision

Anniebach speak to your surgery or social services or local blind association about seeng a specialist low-vision social worker.

My DA had poor vision in the later years of her life and a visit from a trained professional who understood her problems and was aware of every aid to vision on the market was the best thing that happened to her. Special reading lights and magnifiers enabled her to read large print again and I customised a radio for her. It was before digital radios, but I was able to tune different buttons for the programmes she listened to and I marked them with bright coloured stickers marking all the key controls as well as the programs.

Monica , the Welsh government have great support for the problem, I am seeing a low vision specialist ,not one in my area so they are sending one fifty miles to test me for the right magnifiers - for my cross stitching , and a look around the house to see what I may need if/when it get's worse, advise on lighting etc, someone is coming to advise me on my computer and I pad and adjust if possible , I was unsure what to expect but you have confirmed what I have been told by a very nice woman from NIB Cymru , I am grateful to you for replying . My first appointment is 4th May .

I cannot believe that somebody is going to your house to assist you with magnifiers etc. I live in London and I have to buy anything that I need! You are very lucky to be living in Wales.

Charleygirl, I am indeed very lucky if one will travel fifty miles , it will not cost me a penny, so unfair you have to pay , sight is so precious .

I keep looking at this thread annie but having no experience haven't replied, but I would just like to send my support and hope your sight is stabilised.

Getting old isn't for wimps is it? Best of luck Annie and know you'll cope somehow

I am a type 1 diabetic and suffer from macular degeneration. I took early retirement because of failing sight. I attend a low vision clinic in Belfast and they give me magnifying glasses to suit my level of sight. I bought a keyboard for my computer with large letters which is great but I use my iPad for downloading books, it's easy to enlarge the letters. I also get eye injections every six weeks which are very successful . There are lots of aids out there so hopefully you will get something that helps. Good luck

Anniebach a lot depends on what is causing your poor eyesight. I have dry macular degeneration for which there is no cure. There will be but not in my life time. I am a member of a local AMD society and we often ask reps from companies to show us the latest gadgets. A very nifty magnifying glass which I fancied cost well into the the £400's and I thought that somebody was taking the Michael charging so much.

When I bought my present computer a few months ago I did not want the keyboard because it was black letters on a black keyboard so I kept my old one which has white letters on a black background.

Good luck- old age and blindness is not for the faint hearted.

Now I have tears, how kind you all are. I was unsure about asking, so glad I did . My daughter in Lincolnshire kicked it all off , phoned to see what help there was here - without telling me - just received a phone call from the council, if needed they will fit a new kitchen so the cooker can be moved for the best lighting ,again due to the Welsh Government scheme . all the gadgets are free thank God, I may have to buy a new computer but will be advised on this in May, if I do I will be given help to adjust to it. Will learn speak to text - think that's what it's called - so best my posts are ignored when I start this , I write in English but tend to talk in wenglish . I will cope , as long as I can see my mountains

Quite simple really - what can't be cured must be endured

Annie I think that I may emigrate to Wales! I am delighted that you are getting so much free help but I do feel that some of us are totally ignored, depending on where we live. Wales has the right idea- if they spend some money on you now, you will be able to live independently for longer so it will cost them less. Simples.

Charleygirl, I wish you could have the help I am receiving. It is sensible of the Welsh government to give this support , even Care and Repair are going to changed my door steps to prevent tripping should my sight get worse , removing two steps will cost far less than treatment for a broken limb , as you say - simple