More than 2 million people in the UK are living with some form of sight loss, according to the NHS.
For adults who lose their sight in later life, it can be very distressing as they feel they are no longer able to enjoy some of the activities they used to. Travel issues can also arise as people may find themselves unable to drive any more.
Many people with impaired vision may not realise they can claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP). This is a benefit paid by the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) to help people cover costs incurred by having long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities.
READ MORE: DWP confirm if £650 cost of living payment in July is per individual or household
If you have daily living and, or mobility needs, because of a sight condition or low vision, you may be eligible for PIP and should consider making a claim, the Daily Record reports.
If you use a white cane - long or short - to help you safely move around outside, you could be eligible for the enhanced rate of the mobility component which is worth £64.50 a week or £258 each pay period (every four weeks).
Forty-six visual conditions are currently supported by PIP. The following list is provided by the DWP:
Diseases of conjunctiva, cornea, eyelids and lacrimal apparatus
- Conjunctiva, cornea, eyelids and lacrimal apparatus - Other diseases of / type not known
- Corneal ulceration
- Entropion
- Herpes zoster - ophthalmic
- Keratitis
- Keratoconus
- Orbital cellulitis
- Ptosis
- Scleritis
Uveitis
- Anterior Uveitis (iritis)
- Chorioretinal disorders - Other / type not known
- Posterior (choroiditis)
Glaucoma
- Visual injuries to the eye
- Vitreous disease
- Posterior vitreous detachment
- Vitreous disease - Other / type not known
- Vitreous haemorrhage
Diseases of the retina and optic nerve
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Hypertensive retinopathy
- Macular degeneration
- Optic atrophy
- Optic neuritis
- Retina and optic nerve - Other diseases of / type not known
- Retinal artery occlusion
- Retinal detachment
- Retinal vein occlusion
- Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Retinopathy - Other / type not known
Cataract
- Refractive errors
- Astigmatism
- Hypermetropia (long-sighted)
- Myopia (short-sighted)
- Presbyopia
- Refractive errors - Other / type not known
Disorders of eye movement
- Eye movement - Other disorders of / type not known
- Nystagmus
- Strabismus (Squint)
Visual field defects
- Amblyopia
- Cortical blindness
- Diplopia (double vision)
- Hemianopia
- Quadrantanopia
- Scotoma
- Tunnel vision
- Visual field defects - Other / type not known
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