Vision loss affects patient's independence, mobility and quality of life. It has been estimated that every day in the UK more than 100 people lose their sight. Worldwide more than 45 million people are blind. Fighting for Sight was established in 2001 to protect the vision of the people in Scoland and, specifically, in Grampian.
Fighting for Sight will support research of new treatments for the most common eye diseases, including diabetes, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), inflammatory eye disease, and glaucoma. Research will also be focused in finding better ways of diagnosing and preventing visual impairment in adults and children.
Fighting for Sight will help to conduct public and professional programmes to promote visual rehabilitation, increase awareness of services and devices that are available for adults and children with low vision, and facilitate the delivery of these services.
It is often difficult for patients to ask questions about their eye condition. Patients may be anxious and worried about their problem. By developing support groups, patients would have the chance to learn more about their disease and to meet other people with similar problems. Educational programmes targeted to patients with specific ocular diseases will be developed, following the already established support group for patients with ocular inflammation.
