Wellbeing &
Support Resources
You don't have to navigate this alone. Here are trusted organisations that can help.
Losing an eye changes more than your sight. It can affect how you feel about yourself, how you interact with others, and how you move through daily life. These are not small things, and they deserve more than a passing mention on a clinical leaflet.
Research shows that many patients receive no offer of emotional support after eye loss, and the majority say they wouldn't know where to go for help if they needed it. That's a gap we want to help close.
The organisations listed below are ones we trust. Some we've worked alongside, some our patients have found invaluable, and all of them understand what it means to live with eye loss or visible difference. Whether you're looking for someone to talk to, practical information about a diagnosis, or support for your child or family — there's something here for you.
Emotional and mental health support
These services can help if you're experiencing anxiety, low mood, grief, loss of confidence, or are simply finding it hard to adjust.
Changing Faces
The UK's leading charity for anyone with a visible difference, offering confidential one-to-one counselling and support sessions for people of all ages. They also publish excellent self-help guides on building confidence and managing other people's reactions to the way you look.
RNIB — Sight Loss Counselling
RNIB offers emotional support through their Sight Loss Counselling team — professional telephone and online counsellors accredited by the BACP. The service is completely confidential. They also offer telephone support groups and downloadable guides on grief, resilience, and mental wellbeing after sight loss.
NHS Talking Therapies
A free, confidential NHS service offering evidence-based treatment for anxiety and depression. You can refer yourself directly — you don't need a GP referral. This is particularly relevant if you're experiencing persistent low mood, social anxiety, or difficulty adjusting after surgery. Sessions are available in person, by phone, by video, or online.
Samaritans
Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year if you need someone to listen without judgement.
Condition-specific support
These charities focus on specific conditions that may have led to eye loss, and can provide detailed medical information, peer support, and practical guidance.
MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)
The UK charity specifically supporting children and adults born without eyes or with underdeveloped eyes. They offer guidance at every stage, from diagnosis through prosthetic care, and publish resources for parents including the children's book 'My Eye Man'.
CHECT (Childhood Eye Cancer Trust)
A charity supporting families affected by retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer that primarily affects young children. They provide information about prosthetic eyes after treatment, emotional support, and connections to other families who've been through similar experiences.
Ocular Melanoma UK
The UK's only dedicated charity for people affected by ocular melanoma. They offer emotional support, peer connections, and can help you interpret treatment pathways. They also offer funded specialist psychological support sessions to help manage the emotional impact of diagnosis and treatment.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Provides practical and medical support to people with cancer in the UK, including a helpline that covers clinical, emotional, and welfare benefits needs. Helpful if your eye loss is cancer-related and you need broader support navigating treatment, finances, or work.
Support for children and families
If your child has lost an eye or was born with a condition affecting their eyes, these organisations offer age-appropriate support for both children and parents.
MACS
Their primary focus is supporting families of children with anophthalmia, microphthalmia, and coloboma, including prosthetic guidance and parent-to-parent connections.
CHECT
Specifically supports families of children with retinoblastoma, with resources covering school life, emotional adjustment, and prosthetic care.
Changing Faces
Provides tailored guides for parents, children, and young people living with visible difference, including advice on school, building confidence, and managing curiosity from other children.
WE C Hope
An international resource for families affected by retinoblastoma, with particularly useful practical guides on topics like preparing your child for ocularist visits using playful, sensory-based language, artificial eye care at school, and handling bullying.
Practical and workplace support
Access to Work (Gov.uk)
This government scheme can help you access mental health support at work, and practical support including grants for specialist equipment, workplace adjustments, and more. If your eye loss is affecting your working life, this is worth exploring.
Visit Gov.ukEye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs)
ECLOs have extensive knowledge of eye conditions, including welfare benefits you may be entitled to and support for returning to work. Ask your hospital eye team if an ECLO is available at your treating centre.
We're here for the whole journey
We've gathered these resources because we believe that caring for someone means caring about more than just the prosthesis. Nearly half of patients say they lacked emotional support during their journey — and we don't want that to be your experience.
If you're not sure which of these organisations is right for you, or if you'd simply like to talk things through, you can always reach out to Lorna directly. She's happy to listen and point you in the right direction.
This page will be updated as we discover new resources. If you know of an organisation that should be listed here, please let us know.
Need help finding the right support?
If you have questions about anything on this page, or simply need to find the right path forward — get in touch. You may also find comfort in reading our patients’ stories.