ICO annual conference May 15-17Patient Support Groups
The following links are to organisations outside of the Irish College of Ophthalmologists which provide services to people with vision loss and may be helpful to you.
Remember that if you have an issue or a worry with your eye condition, the best person to talk to is your eye doctor.
Vision Ireland (formerly NCBI)
Vision Ireland, the national sight loss organisation, is a not for profit charity which offers support and services nationwide to people of all ages experiencing difficulties with their eyesight. If you or someone you know is experiencing problems with their sight, Vision Ireland can help.
Vision Ireland Referral & Assessment information can be found on the Vision Ireland website here: https://vi.ie/supporting-you/make-a-referral/
Visit https://vi.ie/ or call 01 8307033
Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind
Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind is Ireland's national charity dedicated to helping persons who are blind or vision impaired and families of children with autism to achieve improved mobility and independence.
Fighting Blindness
Fighting Blindness is an Irish, patient-led organisation funding research into treatments and cures for blindness and degenerative forms of vision loss. It provides a professional counselling service for people and families affected by sight loss and works at national and European level to advocate on behalf of people affected by sight loss.
www.fightingblindness.ie/how-we-can-help/support-services/
All support groups can now be accessed online, over Zoom, with the exception of the Dublin Support Group, which also meets in person. For a list of the support groups, please visit the below link:
ChildVision – National Education Centre for Blind Children
Pre-school and Early Intervention Service; Primary School; Secondary School; Vocational Training Programme; Residential facilities; Eye Clinic; Family Resource Centre; National Braille Production Centre; Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy service.
HSE Living Well Programme
HSE Living Well Programme for patients with specific eye conditions, in partnership with the Irish College of Ophthalmologists.
Living Well is a free online group programme, delivered over seven workshops (2.5hrs x 7). This is a self-management programme for people living with a degenerative eye condition(s) with the aim of improving your quality of life to better manage your daily health. Living Well can help you develop the skills and confidence to manage your health condition(s).
For more information or to register, contact the Living Well Coordinator Leah Harrington: 0873654392 Email: leah.harrington@hse.ie
Visit https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/hl/selfmanagement/living-well-programme/living-well-programme.html or Download Living Well Programme Brochure
Usher Syndrome Ireland
Usher Syndrome Ireland is a voluntary, non-profit organisation for the Usher Syndrome community in Ireland to increase awareness, provide support and fund research into the rare, genetically-inherited progressive condition which affects both hearing and sight.
Visit: https://usherireland.org/
Sjögren's Ireland
Sjögren's Ireland is a patient organisation whose mission is to improve awareness, advocate for better services and build a supportive community. Sjögren's Ireland have recently linked with the RCSI’s Ocular Immunology Research Group called 'Sjögren's Research Ireland' and together have developed a host of resources including their website, webinars, podcasts,
Download Patient Information Leaflet
The information leaflet briefly outlines the current understanding of the condition and provides advice from key specialists involved in the treatment and management of Sjögrens Syndrome.
Anne Sullivan Foundation for Deafblind
The Anne Sullivan Foundation for Deafblind is the Irish national agency for assisting people who are both deaf and blind. The Foundation has a residential centre in Brewery Road, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin.
Irish Blind Sports
Irish Blind Sports (IBS) is the National Governing Body (NGB) for sport and leisure activities for blind and visually impaired in Ireland. The organisations facilitate people who are blind or vision impaired to participate in sports and recreational activities.
Féach
Féach is a parent organisation that connects, informs and empowers other parents of visually impaired and blind children.
The aim of the group is to support the education, training, communication and social needs of children who are blind or vision impaired
Information Leaflet - how we support
Age Action Ireland
Age Action is a charity which promotes positive ageing and better policies and services for older people.
Care Alliance
The Online Family Carer Support Group, an initiative of Care Alliance Ireland, offers peer-to-peer support to family carers all around the country. The support group is moderated by a mix of professionals and family carers, offering a safe space to discuss all aspects of the life of a family carer, to ask and receive advice and learn from other members’ experiences. There are regular social activities, all online, such as a book club, quiz nights, coffee mornings, chair yoga, a gardening club, and regular competitions. You can find more information about the Online Family Carer Support Project on our website:
https://www.carealliance.ie/
The Online Family Carer Support Group itself is run through a private group on Facebook, to join, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/