Low vision service and magnifying aids

If you are finding it difficult to read or watch TV you might benefit from using an aid to magnify the print/picture. It is important to find the aid that most suits your vision and to do this you can have a Low Vision Aid assessment.

The health service in Hampshire fund a scheme called the Low Vision Service, whereby visually impaired people can have a Low Vision Aid (LVA) assessment by a specialist Optometrist. The assessment is free-of-charge and most of the aids are issued free on long-term loan.

You can be referred for an LVA assessment by your own optician, your doctor at the Eye Department or by a sight loss specialist in the Sensory Team at Adult Services.

Other organisations offer information, advice and the opportunity to try and purchase low vision aids such as magnifiers and CCTV Readers (digital aids). Some of these organisations will offer an appointment at your home. Please see the suppliers list below.

Reading and books

Library services for visually-impaired people hold reading groups at some of their libraries and also have computers with internet access designed for people with sight loss.

Concessionary membership library cards are also available and offer special concessions on items such as audio books that you would normally pay to borrow.

To be eligible for this you need to provide evidence of your visual impairment such as a registration card. If you are not already registered (and therefore do not have a yellow registration card) then please contact your Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Eye Department you attend. If you not be eligible for registration contact your GP, who may provide you with a letter to confirm your need for this service.

The Royal National Institute for the Blind and Calibre also provide a talking book service.

Newspapers and magazines

For details of talking newspapers available around Hampshire contact Open Sight Tel 023 8064 1244.

The Talking Echo Centre for the Blind offers a free service to people who are registered blind. They supply a tape of local information to people who live in Southampton City, Totton and Waterside or in Eastleigh Borough, Tel 023 8076 7583

Portsmouth Area Talking News includes Petersfield and some magazine titles including Navy News and Hampshire Magazine, Tel 023 9269 0851.

National Talking Newspapers and Magazines serves as your own personal newsagent service. You can receive your favourite titles - in either audio CD, tape or digital format.

Other formats

If you wish to get audio versions (tape or CD), braille, or large print versions of any documents you receive (such as from your bank, building society etc), speak to the organisation directly and ask for the document to be provided in your chosen format.

Translations into audio, braille, or foreign languages can also be provided by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB). Tel: 0303 123 9999