The Visual Function clinic is a specialist clinic for children with a known or suspected visual impairment. We provide a specialist assessment of a child’s visual function (how they use their vision on a day-to-day basis) taking into account their overall development. We will make practical recommendations to help the child at home and/or school and referral to specialist services when appropriate.
We work closely with local services when providing advice and support for parents.
Members of the team
The team members involved in the clinic include a developmental paediatrician, an orthoptist and a teacher with additional training in supporting children and young people with a visual impairment.
The team all have expertise in assessing, understanding and supporting the development and progress of children with a visual impairment.
Who we see
- Children and young people with a visual impairment
- Children of all ages with suspected cerebral visual impairment, to provide vision and developmental assessment to clarify such difficulties, their impact, and the potential overlaps with other areas of developmental difficulty. A diagnosis of cerebral visual impairment will be given where appropriate.
Information for professionals
We accept referrals from Ophthalmologists and Specialist Paediatricians. We are not able to accept referrals from GPs or from Education professionals. All children must have been seen and assessed in the eye clinic prior to referral.
Referral letters should contain a clear reason for referral with sufficient details of current concerns. Relevant background information should be enclosed with the referral including details of other professionals involved.
Please send referrals to loth.childrenswaitinglistteam@nhs.scot
The clinic visit – what to expect
Appointments are longer than other hospital appointments and last around 1 hour. Glasses must be brought to the appointment.
The assessment usually takes the following format:
- Time is spent talking to parents to understand the current concerns as well as discussing their child’s developmental progress.
- An assessment of the child’s vision and development will follow, with parents closely involved.
- The team will consider the findings of the assessment and feed this back to parents during the appointment.
- We finish by discussing recommendations and referrals to local supports
Clinic locations
We aim to see children and young people in a setting close to home. We use the following venues:
Beatlie Child Development Centre
Pennywell All Care Centre
Westerhailes Healthy Living Centre
Royal Hospital for Children & Young People
Midlothian Community Hospital
Musselburgh Primary Care Centre
Other services
Guide dogs
Guide Dogs run a playgroup for children under 5 in Lothian. They also have a number of other resources including a book library and technology support.
Support for Children with Visual Impairment | Guide Dogs UK
Visibility
This is an organisation that supports children and young people across Scotland through messy play, youth groups and family advocacy.
EyeCan CYP – Visibility Scotland
Sight Scotland
Support children and young people in schools in East/Mid and West Lothian
Education Support For Blind & Visually Impaired Children | Sight Scotland
City of Edinburgh Council Inclusion and Wellbeing, Sensory team
Provide specialist visual impairment teachers and Hab specialists to support children in Edinburgh schools.
Inclusion and wellbeing for children and young people – The City of Edinburgh Council
Leisure and Social opportunities
RNIB – Provide information about local youth clubs and events which are held regularly in and around Lothian. They also have a number of additional services including support with DLA forms, technology and online services into adulthood.
Children, young people and families in Scotland | RNIB
Scottish Disability sport
Information about accessible sports opportunities
Goalball
A teamsport for children and young people with a visual impairment with local branches in and around Edinburgh
Clubs – Goalball UK
Medical Information
VINCYP – Family and professional resources
Visual Impairment Network for Children & Young People – National Managed Clinical Network
Ophthalmology
Eye service at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People
Contact details
Teams can be contacted on the following numbers:
- Edinburgh (Royal Hospital for Children and Young People) 0131 3120505
- East and Midlothian (Musselburgh Primary Care Centre) 0131 4464123
- West Lothian (St John’s Hospital) 01506 524403
