To be registered, you need to be 'certified' as severely sight impaired (blind) or sight impaired (partially sighted) by a consultant ophthalmologist (eye specialist).
If you are already attending an eye hospital or clinic you should discuss certification with your specialist. Or you might prefer to talk it over first with someone else at the eye clinic such as an Eye Clinic Liaison Officer, a hospital social worker or a volunteer from a local society for people with sight problems. You may also want someone with you to take note of any information you are given.
If you do not attend an eye clinic, you should ask your GP to refer you to a consultant ophthalmologist.
Seeing the consultant
The consultant will decide whether you meet the vision criteria for registration by measuring your distance vision and your field of vision. That is, how far you can see and how much you can see from the side of your eye when you are looking straight ahead. You should wear your usual glasses or contact lenses (if any) for the examination.
The consultant may do other tests to check your eye health. This could mean he or she uses drops to dilate (open) your pupils, which can blur your vision for a few hours afterwards. You may want to have someone with you to help you home after the appointment.
There are specific rules about the level of sight needed to be registered severely sight impaired (blind) or sight impaired (partially sighted). If you meet the criteria, the consultant can certify you as either severely sight impaired (blind) or sight impaired (partially sighted) by completing the Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI).
What happens next
The form gives details of the assessment of your vision, and certifies that you are severely sight impaired (blind) or sight impaired (partially sighted). It also gives other relevant information about your circumstances, and your preferred format for correspondence.
You will be asked to sign the form to agree that a copy can be sent to your local council's social services or social work department, your GP and the Department of Health. The hospital keeps a copy and you will be given a copy for yourself.
If your sight is affecting your ability to drive safely, you will be told that you should telephone the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) on 0870 600 0301.
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If you disagree with the consultant's decision
If you are unhappy with the outcome of the examination, you can ask your GP to refer you to a second specialist.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
If you live in one of these two countries, different forms are used: in Scotland, the form is called BP1, in Northern Ireland it is called A655.
This information gives general guidance only and is not an authoritative statement of the law.
More information
Contact RNIB's Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or helpline@rnib.org.uk