Reflections on sight loss - RNIB

New Beacon
NB
“What a long and lonely walk it is, down
the corridor and out into the real world.
As you leave the eye clinic, your mind is in
turmoil... All the words that you
understood a few moments ago are
forgotten, apart from the ones ‘I am sorry
but there’s nothing more I can do.’“
These are the words of Diane Roworth, chief
officer of York Blind and Partially Sighted
Society and one of three columnists from
different disciplines who have contributed to
our feature on the interface between
outpatient clinics and services for people with
low vision. How many people ‘fall through the
net’ and fail to make the connection with the
help that is available?
Among readers of this magazine are many of
the people whom the patient may encounter
on that journey from the moment of
diagnosis, including ophthalmic nurses, eye
clinic liaison officers, rehabilitation specialists
and other social care staff, workers and
volunteers from local societies – and other
people with sight loss.
The UK Vision Strategy is beginning to
demonstrate that all these groups – and
others – can come together to effect a major
transformation in the UK’s eye health, eye
care and sight loss services. NB magazine
supports this aim, and seeks to foster the
two-way flow of information and
communication that underpins it.
This pilot version of a newly focused magazine
is designed to facilitate that dialogue, as well
as giving practical support and encouragement
to people working in the front line. Whether
you are new to NB or a long-term reader,
please help us by giving us your feedback (via
the enclosed questionnaire) – and enable us
to provide an improved magazine that gives
you not only information but inspiration!
Ann Lee, Editor, NB
Pilot issue September 2009
NB is published by RNIB.
rnib.org.uk/nbmagazine
Reg charity no. 226227
ISSN 0028-4270
© RNIB September 2009
NB is available in print,
braille, audio CD, DAISY
and email.
The views expressed by
contributors may not be
those of RNIB
Editorial
Ann Lee, Editor NB, RNIB,
105 Judd Street, London
WC1H 9NE
Tel: 020 7391 2375
Fax: 020 7388 2034
nbmagazine@rnib.org.uk
Advertisements
For rates and bookings
contact Ten Alps Publishing
Tel: 020 7878 2367
Email: Parminder.Sangha@
tenalpspublishing.com
Annual subscription
£32.40 (UK)
£48.00 (overseas)
To subscribe
Call RNIB Helpline on
0303 123 9999 or email
helpline@rnib.org.uk
Back issues available
NB is printed on
100% recycled paper
100%