Herefordshire Low Vision Service  

What is the Low Vision Service?  

Herefordshire Low Vision Service offers low vision assessments and support for those  living with visual impairments. It is available to anyone with a Herefordshire GP who  feels as though the service may benefit them.  

The scheme allows for up to 2 visits per year. One is a Low Vision assessment at £45,  and the other is Low Vision follow-up at £35. 

These appointments must be written up on Pharma outcomes for the practice to receive  payment.  

Who can perform a Low Vision assessment? 

Any optometrist or dispensing optician with the WOPEC certificate in Low Vision, or an  optometrist enrolled on the WOPEC Low Vision course, and actively studying. NB: A  pre-registration optometrist may also perform this service under the direct supervision  of an optometrist with the appropriate qualifications.  

Who is the service for? 

Access to the service is on a ‘needs’ only basis – there are no visual criteria or threshold.  Patients may be referred to the service (e.g., from another local optometrist or ECLO) or  can self-refer.  

Where do the low vision aids come from? 

The LVAs provided by the scheme come directly from Edward Marcus and can be  ordered via email. The LVA can either be posted directly to the patient’s home address  or to the practice for the patient to collect.  

Other services 

Locally we have three key services: 

Herefordshire Vision Links (HVL)– which is the Association for the Blind and has  support services and a resource room. They are based in the town centre and are open  part time. They also house the register of VI patients. 

Rehabilitation Officer – Tom Shufflebotham, based at the HVL. Can arrange mobility  and home visits, but only one person for the whole county. Note this service is a needs based access, so eligible for all people whether registered or not. 

ECLO – Olivia Kerr – based at the VEU (local eye unit) and is a useful resource for  patients.

What must a Low Vision assessment consist of? 

• Date of the most recent eye examination  

• Referring practice details 

• Ophthalmic condition/diagnosis and date of onset 

• Whether the patient is undergoing treatment currently 

• Is the patient registered SI/SSI? 

• Ocular dominance 

• Does the patient attend Hereford vision links?  

• Does the patient currently use any VDU based/electronic magnifiers?  • Does the patient live alone? Are they employed? What methods of transport do  they use?  

• Does the patient struggle with photophobia?  

• Patient’s main concerns/daily challenges 

• Reading threshold and fluency 

• Patient’s hobbies and visual targets 

• What LVA’s does the patient use currently?