WGOS 3 – Low Vision Assessment-CVIW

WGOS Level 3 – Low Vision Assessment

This level comprises of a low vision assessment for someone who reaches the criteria for the service. This assessment helps a patient make the best use of their remaining sight. When a patient first enters the service, they will receive an initial examination and they are entitled to a follow up examination every year. A practitioner delivering this service must be low vision accredited.

Optometrists, Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners (OMPs) and Dispensing Opticians (Dos) provide the Low Vision Assessments as part of WGOS.

Who should be referred for a low vision assessment?

Anyone entering the service should have had a sight test within the last year. Most people using the service will be entitled to a WGOS NHS sight test.

All those with distance visual acuity of 6/12 or worse, and/ or near acuity of N6 or worse (with a plus 4 dioptre reading addition) or significantly constricted visual fields can access the service. Patients registered as Sight Impaired (SI) or Severely Sight Impaired (SSI) automatically qualify for the Service. People need to be residents of Wales to be eligible to use WGOS Low Vision.

How do I refer someone for a low vision assessment?

You can check to see who in your area is offering WGOS Low Vision. You or the patient can then contact a suitable practice direct and an appointment should be arranged within 2 weeks.

• Link to Optician Services 

Certification of Vision Impairment Wales (CVIW)

Certification is the pre-requisite to registration with a vision impairment. The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) 2014 Act requires local authorities to establish and maintain a register of people who are ordinarily resident in the local authority's area and who are sight-impaired, hearing-impaired or who suffer from sight and hearing impairments which, in combination, have a significant effect on their day to day lives.

Registration ensures access to services and support aimed at maintaining a person’s independence, inclusive of that offered by Habilitation officers and Rehabilitation Officers for the Visually Impaired.

The CVIW also has additional functions. It allows the collection of epidemiological information about the incidence and causes of certifiable sight loss in the UK. In Wales, the CVIW is used to indicate prevalence of certifiable vision impairment and is recognised by the Department of Work and Pensions as medical evidence of sight loss.

Practitioners accredited to provide Low Vision Assessment in Wales are now able to certify eligible people with sight loss, if the cause of sight loss is Dry Age Related Macula Degeneration.

Please read the WGOS Level 3 Manual for full details