Who can use NCBI’s services?
Summary: Our services are available to anyone in Ireland who is experiencing difficulty with their eyesight.
Sight loss affects people in different ways
NCBI provides a wide range of services to people who are blind or vision impaired in Ireland. Currently, 5% of those who access these services are blind, while 95% have some useful vision.
How to avail of our services
If sight loss is getting you down or is making everyday tasks difficult to carry out, NCBI may be able to help you to adapt and to maintain your independence.
Your eye specialist might make a referral to NCBI on your behalf or you can contact us directly.
Community resource workers are located in all areas and are generally the key NCBI contact for a person with low vision.
Officially registering with NCBI
We maintain the official register of people who are blind and vision impaired in Ireland. While you don't need to be on this register to take advantage of most of our services (apart from the library service), you need to fulfill registration criteria to claim government benefits and entitlements. Registration requires an eye test from an approved doctor. Find out more about how to qualify for registration.
Download our leaflet
Start the process
Contact our community resource work team Monday to Friday on 1850 33 43 53.