Visual impairment is the general term used when a child has reduced vision and may, as a result, be partially sighted or blind.

Blind children have very little sight or, occasionally, no sight.  Some may see light through a window or from a lamp or be able to see bright colours.  Very few blind children see nothing at all.

There are many causes of visual impairment, which affect vision in different ways.  For example, some conditions let too much light into the eye which leads to reduced vision in bright sunlight.  Others can result in patchy vision a bit like looking through a colander.   

The Visual Impairment Service provides specialist educational support countywide for approximately 200 children who have little or no vision.