What is an ECLO?

September 30, 2026

Receiving a diagnosis that affects your sight can be overwhelming, bringing with it a range of emotions and questions about the future.

An Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) is often one of the first sources of support for people adjusting to sight loss. Based within eye clinics and hospitals, ECLOs provide both practical and emotional assistance to help individuals navigate life after a diagnosis.

What is the role of an ECLO?

Their role is about offering a listening ear, helping patients understand the support services available to them and making referrals on their behalf where appropriate.

Support can include:

Accessing counselling or mental health support
Learning about assistive technology and specialist equipment
Benefits advice/support with applications
Certification of Vision Impairment (CVI) process, explaining what registration means and what steps may follow
Employment Services advice
Signposting to relevant services
Referrals to Low Vision clinics for magnifier assessments

Most importantly, their role is to ensure that no one faces sight loss alone.

A meaningful and rewarding job role

Here at BID Services we have ECLOs across the country, as part of a number of our sensory services. we spoke to them to find out what they enjoy about their roles!

“I enjoy the emotional support side of my role. I enjoy listening and reassuring people. I can identify with much of what patients are going through due to having sight loss myself.”
– Olivia, ECLO

“The variety of the work involved. Being able to find solutions for people at the point of diagnosis that gives reassurance and hope for the patient to live well with their sight loss.”
– Sarah, ECLO

“Seeing the difference that our conversations make as patients realise that they are not being left to deal with their sight loss alone.”
– Naomi, ECLO

Common questions asked after a diagnosis

Following a sight loss diagnosis, it is natural for people to have many questions about how their condition may affect their daily lives. Some of the most common questions ECLOs are asked include:

What is registration?
Can I get a discount on my TV licence?
How can I work when I am blind?
Can I get a Blue Badge?
Can I drive?

Many of these questions relate to maintaining independence, accessing available support and understanding legal or practical implications of sight loss.

ECLOs can provide guidance and information on these topics, helping people understand the options available to them and connecting them with specialist services where needed.

Patients also occasionally ask medical questions about treatments or their eye condition. In these situations, ECLOs will always advise patients to speak with their consultant or another medical professional involved in their care to ensure they receive the most appropriate clinical advice.

Sight loss can be life-changing, but with the right support, information and guidance, people can continue to live independently and confidently. ECLOs are there to help make that journey a little easier, providing reassurance, practical advice and a friendly face when it matters most.