Eye Care Liaison Officers (ECLOs)

By offering dedicated individual care, ECLOs can talk to you about your worries and give you advice on how to lessen the impact your eye condition may have on your life.

ECLOs act as an important bridge between health and social services and are central to the support and wellbeing of patients in eye clinics. They also help prevent avoidable sight loss, by talking through treatment and helping people to understand their medication if necessary.

RNIB's ECLOs are part of our Sight Loss Advice Service.

We are proud to celebrate the appointment of our 100th ECLO, Renu Walia. Renu is based in Chase Farm Hospital in Enfield, North London and also provides support to patients at Barnet Hospital and Edgware Community Hospital.

This represents a significant milestone in the provision of practical and emotional support for people newly diagnosed with sight loss. Read the 100th ECLO press release to find out more, and listen to Renu speaking about ECLOs and the importance of the work she will be doing on RNIB Connect Radio.

ECLOs are there to provide you with up-to-date information and put you in touch with useful services by making referrals on your behalf.

They can advise you on:

• eye conditions
• welfare benefits you may be entitled to
• remaining in employment or re-training
• mental health and emotional wellbeing
• children's services and where to get help with difficulties at school
• voluntary organisations and local support groups.

ECLOs are also able to explain the process of becoming registered as blind or partially sighted and the benefits of being registered.

ECLOs can work with people of all ages, but some may specialise in working with people of a specific age group, such as older people. However, all ECLOs will provide you with support and advice if you ask for it.

Family, friends and carers

ECLOs are happy to open discussions with people close to you who may be affected by your sight condition, but only once you have granted permission to do so.

Medical questions

While ECLOs are well informed about eye conditions and are able to provide you with information, you should speak to your ophthalmologist (hospital eye doctor) about any medical queries.

Referrals

Your ECLO may be asked to see you in the clinic by an ophthalmologist, an optometrist or a nurse. You can also ask to see an ECLO independently, which is something we encourage.

All referrals to ECLOs are optional. Even if you have been advised to see one, you don’t have to, if that is what you prefer. You may, however, want to see the ECLO during a later stage of your diagnosis – this option is available to you at any time, even if you have previously declined the option.

If you need an interpreter, the ECLO can arrange this prior to seeing you. Once this has been arranged, you will be provided with an appointment at the clinic to discuss your needs.

ECLOs undertake RNIB's Eye Clinic Studies Course affiliated to City University, London, and are trained to a very high standard. Throughout their careers, ECLOs are offered opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD), which enables them to keep abreast of new developments, offering you the best possible service.

Find out more about ECLOs and how to meet with one by calling our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 (8am-8pm weekdays and 9am-1pm Saturdays).

Sightline Directory

Search our Directory for ECLOs, services and organisations near you that support blind and partially sighted people.

Northern Ireland

You can contact your local RNIB ECLO by asking your doctor or nurse at your next eye clinic appointment, give our Helpline a call or email us at [email protected].

Scotland

If you would like to find out more about RNIB's ECLO services in Scotland, please contact:

North Scotland

Maeve Lawler, ECLO Service Manager, North Scotland by email at [email protected] or by telephone at 07525 910153.

South Scotland

Rosemary Cameron, ECLO Service Manager, South Scotland by email at [email protected].