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Posted Oct 2025
One of the most common questions people ask us as a charity supporting people with sight loss is: ‘What is a Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) and how do I get one?’
We asked one of our Patient Support Officers, Gail, who works at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, to give us the answer. She has written this handy guide to CVIs.
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What is a Certificate of Vision Impairment and how do I get one?
A Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) is a legal document that formally registers your vision impairment. It’s also the medical evidence you need to provide when applying for many benefits and concessions. Your consultant can either register you as sight impaired or severely sight impaired, depending on how you meet the criteria for a CVI (see below). Your eye consultant is the only person who can complete a CVI form.
You must have significant sight loss in both eyes which cannot be corrected by glasses or contact lenses to qualify for a CVI.
What criteria do I need to meet to receive a CVI?
The criteria for a CVI are based upon what you can see on the eye chart (your visual acuity), and also if there is a significant loss of how much you can see from the side of your eye when you are looking straight forward (your field of vision).
The RNIB has some useful information about how your eye specialist will decide whether you meet the criteria for a CVI.
My consultant has completed a CVI, what next?
When your consultant has completed your CVI, if you live in Greater Manchester, Henshaws CVI Service will receive a copy. Someone from the service will then contact you to talk you through what support is available to you. This ensures you have the information and support you need at the point of your sight loss diagnosis.
You will then receive a copy in the post,which is your copy to keep safe. If you ever need to send a copy of your CVI for any reason, please do send a copy and not the original.
A GP will also receive a copy to keep in your notes. The Adult Sensory Team within your local council will also receive a copy. Once the Sensory Team receive your CVI, they will either ring you or send out a letter in the post asking if you would like them to add you on to the register of people with sight loss. The register is confidential. The local council will not share your details with anyone.
The Sensory Team will also offer to come and see you at home to discuss how your sight loss is affecting you in your daily life.
Why have a CVI?
Your CVI is your medical evidence of your sight loss. If you need to apply for travel passes, taxi vouchers, or certain benefits and concessions as a result of your sight loss, the concession or benefit provider will ask for a copy of your CVI. You will need to send it along with your application.
Even if it isn’t essential to use your CVI as evidence when applying for a particular benefit or concession, it is one of the easiest pieces of evidence you can submit to prove your eligibility.
Having a CVI provides a way of accessing services which may help you live as independently as possible with sight loss. Benefits include free and discounted travel on public transport, discounted access to leisure opportunities, and financial support. Think of it as your passport to lots of support that could help you to be more independent, and save money.
It’s important to note: whether you are registered sight impaired or severely sight impaired will determine exactly what benefits and concessions you are eligible for. For more information on what concessions are available across Greater Manchester, you can read our guide which outlines many benefits and concessions you can apply for.
What happens if I lose my CVI?
If you lose your copy of your CVI, you can contact us at Henshaws, and we can locate a copy of your CVI for you either via your local Sensory Team, or your GP or your hospital notes.
