Blind Veterans UK provides lifelong support to vision-impaired ex-Servicemen and women, regardless of the cause of their sight loss. If you're unsure whether you meet their criteria, they encourage you to apply, as each application is assessed individually.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Sight Loss Criteria: You must have sight loss equal to or worse than 6/60 in one eye and 6/24 in the other. This typically means you can't read the top line of an eye chart with one eye and the third line with the other. If you have a Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) stating severe sight impairment (blind), you automatically qualify. Peripheral vision loss caused by conditions like glaucoma may also qualify.

2. Service Criteria: You must have been part of the military or emergency services, and you may qualify if you served in the UK Armed Forces, Polish or Indian forces under British command, or the Merchant Navy in direct support of UK military forces. For emergency services, support is available if you lost your sight while on duty in the police, fire brigade, or ambulance.

Application Requirements: To apply, fill out their application form and provide the following documents:

• Copy of your service enrolment or discharge papers.
• A recent eye test report (within the last 12 months).
• A recent visual field test report (within the last 12 months) if you have peripheral vision loss.
• A copy of a certificate of vision impairment issued within the last 12 months if you are registered as partially sighted or blind.

If you lack these documents, you can still apply. Blind Veterans UK will contact the Ministry of Defence for your service record and your optician or eye hospital for vision impairment details.

Not Sure If You're Eligible? If you're uncertain whether you meet their criteria but have a vision impairment and a service record, apply anyway. Their ophthalmology consultant will assess your application.

You may not meet the criteria if your sight loss is less severe or you have no peripheral vision loss or CVI indicating severe sight impairment. In such cases, your application may be put on review, and Blind Veterans UK will contact you for updates.

How to Apply: You can apply online via their application form, or if you prefer, you can download a printable application form and send it by post.

For those who wish to download the form but lack access to a printer, you can request a form by calling their support team.

For further assistance or to initiate your application, visit their website or contact them directly.

Blind Veterans UK helps ex-Service men and women of every generation rebuild their lives after sight loss through rehabilitation, training, emotional support and more.