1. Tracking the Circumstances of People with Sight Loss Dr Kate Flynn

2. 2 Introduction RNIB and NatCen Social Research looked at two national surveys that collect information about people in Britain over time – Understanding Society (USoc), and the Life Opportunities Survey (LOS). 719 of 17,122 LOS respondents and 791 of 32,924 USoc respondents had sight loss, according to their own report.

3. Introduction For a range of topics we calculated what proportion of the adult sight loss population gave a particular response, after controlling for age and sex. We compared this to results from previous years. 3

4. Health and Wellbeing In 2010 to 2011, 38 per cent of respondents with sight loss had recently felt more depressed than usual, compared to 15 per cent of respondents with no impairment In 2011 to 2013, the figures changed to 43 per cent of respondents with sight loss and 15 per cent of respondents with no impairment. The gap has widened since the last wave of the survey. (Data amended 24 March 2015). 4

5. 5 Learning In 2009 to 2011, 74 per cent of respondents with sight loss had formal qualifications at GCSE level (grade A-C) or above, compared to 80 per cent of respondents with no impairment. In 2010 to 2012, the figures changed to 75 per cent and 78 per cent respectively. Three quarters of respondents with sight loss are qualified to at least GCSE level.

6. Finances In 2009 to 2011, 54 per cent of respondents with sight loss earned less than £200 a week, compared to 35 per cent of respondents with no impairment. In 2010 to 2012, the figures changed to 49 per cent and 33 per cent respectively. The gap has narrowed slightly. 6

7. Benefits and social services In 2009 to 2011, 43 per cent of respondents with sight loss had difficulty accessing benefits services, compared to 24 per cent of respondents with no impairment. In 2010 to 2012, the figures changed to 38 per cent and 25 per cent respectively. Respondents with sight loss still report difficulty accessing benefits services more often, but the gap is narrower. 7

8. Participation The chart shows the percentage of respondents who feel their participation is limited in different areas of life. 8 Across all areas, a considerably higher percentage of respondents with sight loss reported that their participation was limited.

9. Caring for others 16 per cent of respondents with sight loss look after or care for someone they live with, compared to eight per cent of respondents with no impairment. Respondents with sight loss are twice as likely to look after someone they live with. 9

10. Summary Respondents with sight loss are more likely to report poor health, lower incomes, and difficulties accessing services. The results show continuity with the previous waves of the survey, with differences being small. For some topic areas, such as participation, inequalities widen further when severity of sight loss is taken into account. 10