New survey gains broader insights into the personal impact of Covid-19 on people with eye conditions

Eye research charity Fight for Sight has launched a survey to gather broader insights into the personal impact that Covid-19 is having on people with sight loss and eye conditions.

The charity is inviting those affected by sight loss or an eye condition to participate in the survey, to help its campaign on behalf of people with sight loss and strengthen the case for urgently needed eye research funding. The survey will examine the impact that Covid-19 is having on people’s access to treatment, personal wellbeing and concerns for the future.

At the beginning of 2020 Fight for Sight carried out one of the largest surveys of people with sight loss and blindness to understand the personal impact of sight loss. With the advent of Covid-19, the charity is following up with further research to gain insight on how the pandemic has had an impact. All results will be published later in 2020.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, eye research was already woefully underfunded, with only one percent of national research funding invested in eye research, even though twenty percent of people in the UK will experience serious sight loss or blindness in their lifetime. The problem is also on the increase - figures show that the number of people in Europe with the leading cause of blindness, age-related macular degeneration, is projected to hit 10 million by 2050.

This is a challenging time for everyone, but we know from anecdotal evidence that the current pandemic and lockdown is having a particularly harsh effect on those living with eye conditions and sight loss. We know that science ultimately has the answer to so many challenges – the power of science will help us stop the pandemic in the coming months, and we are working to ensure it will also help us stop sight loss and blindness in the future. We urgently need the input of those affected so that we can understand how they have been impacted by Covid-19 and campaign on their behalf. The findings will also help us to make the case for the importance of eye research now and in the future.”

Sherine Krause, Chief Executive at Fight for Sight

Participation in the survey involves an online questionnaire in which respondents answer questions on how Covid-19 has impacted their lives. The survey will take no more than ten minutes to complete. Participants will help Fight for Sight in its mission to transform the eye research landscape and secure vital funding for pioneering research.

To participate in the survey, you must be aged 18 or over, living in the UK, and personally have an eye condition(s).