You will be seen by an optometrist in the low vision clinic, part of the Optometry Department. They will start by asking questions to understand the difficulties you face due to your vision. This enables them to tailor the LVA to your needs. They will ask questions about your vision and depending on your circumstances, about other aspects of daily life that can be affected by impaired vision such as education, employment, accessing information and technology, hobbies and pastimes, mobility and independence, self-care and the ability to look after others, socialising and emotional wellbeing.
After this, the optometrist will assess your vision using a range of tests. This will include letter chart vision measurements at distance and near (reading) but can also include measurements such as of contrast vision, peripheral (side) vision and colour vision.
A refraction (glasses check) will be performed to see whether spectacles can improve your vision or not. If glasses improve your vision, a prescription for glasses will be provided which can be taken to our Moorfields opticians or to your local optician to obtain glasses.
The optometrist will also make recommendations on the best way to use your vision to make tasks you struggle with easier.
Appointments typically last about 1 hour. You are welcome to bring someone with you to the appointment. The optometrist will advise whether any future appointments are needed and when these should be.
Magnification helps some people see more. We will carefully check whether it helps you and if so, how much. If magnification is helpful, the optometrist will demonstrate suitable optical low vision aids (magnifiers) to you to see if they are beneficial. If they are, they will be issued to you on permanent loan, free of charge.
Optical low vision aids can include high powered magnifying spectacles, handheld or spectacle mounted magnifiers, and telescopes and binoculars. If a magnifier requires batteries we will provide the first set, but additional batteries are not provided. We will show you how to change the batteries in any magnifiers we loan to you.
Spare magnifiers are not provided on loan, but you can purchase a spare magnifier if you wish.
Yes. Your devices will have a range of inbuilt options called accessibility features, that can help you to use your devices more efficiently, even when you have difficulty seeing your device. Accessibility features include increasing font size, using zoom on the screen, increasing contrast and using speech functions. The optometrist can discuss these with you, provide information on how to use the features and tell you about other charities and services that can help you further.
The Moorfields low vision clinic does not provide electronic low vision on the NHS; however, we have a small range of electronic devices that the optometrist can demonstrate during your appointment if necessary. The optometrist can also provide details of companies who can arrange home trials of electronic devices. Electronic low vision devices can be expensive. It is always recommended to trial electronic devices at home before purchasing them to make sure they are beneficial to you.
There are different routes to accessing electronic low vision devices and accessibility software in education and employment that the optometrist will also be able to discuss with you if relevant.
Based on your needs and circumstances, the optometrist may recommend other sources of support and advice. This may be services within Moorfields such as the Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) team, our Eye Care Liaison Officers (ECLO), our counselling service or family support team (children only). The optometrist may also recommend support provided via sight loss charities, employment advice, or social services.
You should bring any pairs of spectacles or magnifiers that you currently use or that you were prescribed at a previous LVA appointment. Remember to return any previously provided magnifiers that you no longer find useful, as they can be loaned to other patients. It can also be helpful to bring examples of things you find difficult to see, for example a prayer book or sheet music for example.
Having an LVA is an important part of the management of any eye condition that causes vision loss. For this reason, any child or adult with vision loss that cannot be corrected by spectacles should have an LVA. We have separate clinics for adults and children. We can see adults of any age. Children can be seen from the age of 4. You do not need to be registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired to be seen in the LVA clinic.
If you are an existing patient of Moorfields, you can ask your eye doctor to refer you to the low vision clinic at Moorfields.
If you are not an existing patient of Moorfields, you will need to ask your GP or local optometrist to refer you to your local low vision clinic.
The low vision clinic is situated on the ground floor of Moorfields in the Optometry Department. Signage is present throughout the ground floor to direct you. If you have any difficulty finding the department, Friends of Moorfields volunteers, usually dressed in green are stationed at the main entrance and can help you find your way. If you require a wheelchair or supported assistance to reach the optometry department, you can request this at the main reception in the entrance of the hospital.
Yes, low vision clinics are also present at Moorfields at Croydon, St Georges, Northwick Park, Ealing, Potters Bar and Stratford.
Contact us via the low vision clinic contact details below and we will look into providing a replacement. If you have not been seen in a Moorfields clinic for over a year, you will need another appointment before we can replace any magnifiers.
Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI) Team
Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs)
Counselling services at Moorfields
Family Support (Children only)