To register as partially sighted?

[Albusseverus]

More of a what would you do.

My eyesight has always been terrible and has been getting progressively worse as I've gotten older (I'm in my early 30s).
I don't drive. My peripheral vision is non-existent, I can't judge distance and I have very little sight in one of my eyes. I technically could drive based on the DVLA standards, but I think I'd be a danger on the roads. I don't want to take the chance of being responsible for causing a serious accident.
I manage fine on a day to day basis with strong glasses. I rely on public transport for everything.
My optician recently floated the idea of me registering as partially sighted and I'm not sure how I feel about it.
On the one hand, the thought of free public transport (which would be extremely helpful) , reduced TV license and perhaps having a better chance at securing job interviews (it's awful but true) is very tempting.
On the other, I'm not really sure how I feel about taking something when I don't identify myself as "disabled" and others out there may need the resources on offer more than me.
But, things are getting tougher and my eyesight is just going to get worse.

What would you do? Would you register and take the free transport (but not the TV license as that's just pushing it)

Or would you leave it?

You need to be registered by your consultant at the eye hospital. If you meet the criteria you will be issued with a CVI. Registration as PSB doesn't not automatically qualify you for benefits or blue badge but is helpful in the application process

Registration as PS.

There are statutory services you will be entitled to though such as a specialist assessment of your needs, equipment eg better lighting, daily living equipment, a symbol cane and also rehab services.

Thanks for the replies.

I understand that the requirements are specific but I must qualify or my optician wouldn't have suggested it. He may be going by old guidelines so I'll do some reading before I start the process.

I think it's mainly because I have a degenerative condition, as opposed to just having bad eyesight. It is going to get worse and I'll likely end up with little to no sight. Hopefully that's a long while away yet.

If your condition does qualify for registration as a sight impairment, then presumably your workplace would be obliged to provide any adapted facilities you need to do your job. I think that if there's any chance that work issues around your sight could ever be misconstrued as issues of performance, then it would be worth having any additional protection offered by disability - related legislation.

You can get additional tax relief too -Blind Person Allowance.

The point of a benefits system in a civilized country is ensure that people get more-or-less the same chances and opportunities. You're very far from entitled about it, you choose not to drive which means that you are either taking the extra time and cost to go on public transport or reliant on lifts from other people. Fwiw I think you're wise not to drive; technically you might be able to but limited peripheral vision and no depth judgement does sound risky.

And it's a degenerative condition (shouldn't make any difference, but somehow it does).

If you can get the extra support, the small solid step that you're probably entitled to, I think you should take it.

about work place adaptations, there used to be a scheme where the Government would fund a good portion of the costs of adaptation. I don't know if that fund is still in place?

So sorry to hear that Albus. I hope you get all the help you need thang on to the eyesight you have for as long as possible.
My DH had a small blood clot ( a stroke) that knocked out fifty per cen

Whoops
Cent of his vision.
Mainly his field of vision. He failed
His Dvla exam so could not drive.
He's had some syntonic treatment privately and has regained 25 per cent . He hasn't had another test yet . We are going to wait a while.
I hope he gets back to driving. It's been a long hard road.

The thought of him never driving again fills me with dread. The thought of him driving when he doesn't feel as good as he used to...also fills me with dread.

I have good eyesight...but it's a nightmare out there. I've had to step up to the plate but I find it difficult. I have a 7 hour journey on Sunday and am seriously thinking of splitting it and stayin over. I get tired after 2 hours.

You need to be registered blind for blind person's tax allowance. Ditto for TV licence (I don't claim my TV licence reduction since DS is generally the one who watches it anyway and I use the BBC's other services enough that I feel a bit of a hipocrit claiming half price...

The two ticks scheme isn't worth the paper it's written on, so please don't register as partially sighted based on the belief that it will assist your employment - it won't, it will have the opposite impact.

Basically, if you need access to services then investigate the possibility of registration, but don't do so just because of misapprehensions over job interviews and such.