RNIB - Eye Care Liaison Officers (ECLOs)
Eye Care Liaison Officers (ECLOs also known as Eye Clinic Liaison Officers) have lots of knowledge on eye conditions and on helpful local and national services.
By offering dedicated individual care, ECLOs can talk to you about your worries and give you advice on how to lessen the impact your eye condition may have on your life.
ECLOs act as an important bridge between health and social services and are central to the support and wellbeing of patients in eye clinics. They also help prevent avoidable sight loss, by talking through treatment and helping people to understand their medication if necessary. RNIB's ECLOs are part of our Sight Loss Advice Service.
What kind of support can an ECLO give?
ECLOs are there to provide you with up-to-date information and put you in touch with useful services by making referrals on your behalf.
They can advise you on:
- eye conditions
- welfare benefits you may be entitled to
- remaining in employment or re-training
- mental health and emotional wellbeing
- children's services and where to get help with difficulties at school
- voluntary organisations and local support groups.
ECLOs are also able to explain the process of becoming registered as blind or partially sighted and the benefits of being registered.
ECLOs can work with people of all ages, but some may specialise in working with people of a specific age group, such as older people. However, all ECLOs will provide you with support and advice if you ask for it.
Family, friends and carers
ECLOs are happy to open discussions with people close to you who may be affected by your sight condition, but only once you have granted permission to do so.
Medical questions
While ECLOs are well informed about eye conditions and are able to provide you with information, you should speak to your ophthalmologist (hospital eye doctor) about any medical queries.
Referrals
Your ECLO may be asked to see you in the clinic by an ophthalmologist, an optometrist or a nurse. You can also ask to see an ECLO independently, which is something we encourage.
All referrals to ECLOs are optional. Even if you have been advised to see one, you don’t have to, if that is what you prefer. You may, however, want to see the ECLO during a later stage of your diagnosis – this option is available to you at any time, even if you have previously declined the option.
Get in touch
Find out more about ECLOs and how to meet with one by calling our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 (8am-8pm weekdays and 9am-1pm Saturdays).
Sightline Directory
Search our Directory for ECLOs, services and organisations near you that support blind and partially sighted people.
Northern Ireland
You can contact your local RNIB ECLO by asking your doctor or nurse at your next eye clinic appointment, give our Helpline a call or email us at ecloni@rnib.org.uk.