As part of our work on strengthening the evidence base for post-clinical (or community) support for people with vision impairment, Vision Collaborative Scotland worked in collaboration with the University of Melbourne and Glasgow Caledonian University on ground-breaking research into the effectiveness of vision rehabilitation and habilitation.
The Impact of Vision Impairment (IVI) research study collected data on the impact of vision rehabilitation and habilitation on people living with vision impairment in Scotland. The study administered a series of validated questionnaires to collect data specifically on the impact of therapy on quality of life, anxiety, depression, and falls. Vision impaired people were recruited through their local service provider and data was collected before and after intervention.
This research is the first known piece of academic research to be conducted on vision habilitation and rehabilitation and the impact of vision on quality of life in Scotland.
The study has been funded by Vision Collaborative Scotland member organisations Thomas Pocklington Trust and Sight Scotland. The study will shortly be published in an academic journal.
A webinar is planned for 11 November 2026 to disseminate the findings. Please check Sight Scotland and Visibility Scotland social media for details, or sign up below.
Join our webinar
Professor Lauren Ayton and Fleur O’Hare will share the findings of the first of its kind study conducted jointly by Vision Collaborative Scotland, the University of Melbourne, and the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA), and funded by Sight Scotland and Thomas Pocklington Trust.
The free Microsoft Teams webinar takes place on 11 November 2026 from 8:30AM to 9:30AM, the registration link is below.
Never before has the impact of vision rehabilitation been studied in such a comprehensive way. After the presentation there will be a discussion about what research findings mean for the future of the sector, policy, and practice.
Train to become a Vision Rehabilitation professional
Vision Collaborative Scotland is working with the University of Strathclyde to provide courses in vision impairment rehabilitation. Applications are open now for a January 2027 start, and scholarships are available.
Support After Sight Loss: Information and resources for the vision loss sector
Vision rehabilitation is the specialist support that empowers people to adapt, rebuild confidence and live independently after sight loss. In Scotland right now, far too many people either can't access it, or are waiting far too long.
Vision Collaborative Scotland
Vision Collaborative Scotland is an unincorporated consortium of third-sector organisations which all work to support people with vision impairments in Scotland.