Charities

Please see below a list of various charities working to improve the lives of people with visual impairments through providing direct services, promoting awareness of specific eye conditions, or advocating and facilitating research.

This list of charities is not comprehensive.  You can search a more detailed directory of services and information aimed at helping blind or partially sighted people at Sight Line Directory.

The RCOphth cannot be held responsible for the content of external websites. We do select and review external links at the time of publishing, but this does not constitute an endorsement of the information on external websites. Content on these sites may be changed without our knowledge or agreement.

Charities

Aniridia Network

A support group and charity concerned with this rare genetic condition which causes a lack of irises and poor vision from birth.

Blind Veterans UK

A national charity providing free support and services to all vision-impaired Armed Forces and National Service veterans.

Diabetes UK

Working for people with diabetes, funding research, campaigning and helping people live with the condition.

Fight For Sight

Funds pioneering research to prevent sight loss and treat eye disease in adults and children.

Guide Dogs

Promoting the health, equality and independence of blind and partially sighted people.

Glaucoma UK

A UK-based charity providing education, information and support to people with glaucoma, funding for research and education about the condition.

Macular Society

A specialist charity for people affected by any form of macular disease or macular degeneration.

Mercy Ships

Operates the world’s largest charitable hospital ship, bringing free medical care and surgery to some of the world’s poorest people.

Nystagmus Network

Run by individuals and families affected by the eye condition nystagmus.

Orbis

ORBIS is dedicated to saving sight and eliminating avoidable blindness worldwide by providing quality eye care to transform lives.

Retina UK

Supports people affected by inherited progressive sight loss and invests in medical research to ensure that people can live a fulfilling life.

SeeAbility

Works to encourage people who are blind or partially sighted and have other multiple disabilities to achieve their full potential and enhance their quality of life.

Sightsavers

An international charity which works with partners to eliminate avoidable blindness and promote equality of opportunity for disabled people in the developing world.

St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group

A charitable provider of expert eye care in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, treating patients regardless of ethnicity, religion or ability to pay.

The Health Foundation

An independent charity committed to bringing about better health and health care for people in the UK.

Thomas Pocklington Trust

Offers people who are blind or have sight loss the help, support and care they require to lead an independent life, based on their individual requirements.

World Sight Foundation

Aims to deliver sustainable solutions for the alleviation of blindness, and for preserving sight, anywhere in the world by enhancing the skills of locally-based eye care professionals through education.