‘The process of certification was straightforward’
‘The process was really smooth. Once I got registered, I started to receive support.’
In most parts of the UK, certification for Sight Impairment or Severe Sight Impairment is the responsibility of the consultant ophthalmologist. However, in Wales, and some other health boards across the UK optometrists in a low vision service are given authority to certify patients with stable eye conditions.
Step 1: Completing the CVI* form
(*CVI= certificate of vision impairment)
The CVI form is completed and signed by the professional in charge of certifying the patient, and signed by the patient or their legal representative.
The CVI form requires the professional to complete data about the patient’s registration level (‘sight impaired’ or ‘severely sight impaired’), eye condition, their visual functions, their general health, and their personal data. If the patient agrees for the data to be shared with the local authority, and if they wish to be added to the register, they tick a box on the CVI form.
Step 2: Certificate of Vision impairment
The completed form is passed on to the local authority, who is responsible for posting a certificate to the patient. This certificate serves as proof when the patient applies for benefits, discounts and concessions associated to their certification status.
Step 3: Registration
This only applies to patients who ticked the box to state that they agree to add their data to the database, held by the local authority. Data are collected to gain an insight into sight loss statistics. In Scotland, patients who ticked the box are contacted by the local social services team to assess the patient’s needs. This is known as the Social Care and Rehabilitation Assessment.
Children under 16
In England and Wales, children can be certified and registered in the same way as adults as described above.
In Scotland, certification and registration is only offered to patients from the age of 16 years. Children and young people under 16 are supported through VINCYP, the Vision Impairment Network for Children and Young People. Guidelines and eligibility for receiving support from a specialist teacher for the visually impaired can be found here:
https://www.nn.nhs.scot/vincyp/
