The National Council for the Blind (NCBI) recorded its busiest year ever in 2018, helping over 6,000 people nationwide.

The NCBI provides support, rehabilitation services and other training to help people with sight loss to live independently and confidently. It has just launched its 2018 Annual Report, which shows that last year, it helped 6,392 people around the country.

According to the charity's CEO, Chris White, this increase in demand is not surprising given that almost 49,000 visually impaired people are currently on waiting lists for their first appointment with an eye specialist, including over 7,400 children.

Among those waiting for a first appointment, 28% have already been waiting at least 18 months.

"Last year was the most active year in all areas of the organisation in the long history of the charity. The demand for our services is growing as it is a vital support for many who are enduring lengthy waiting times to be seen.

"Like so many aspects of the public health system, these waiting times are unacceptable as conditions can deteriorate and 80% of blindness is preventable or is curable with timely treatment," Mr White explained.

He noted that the NCBI helped people in a range of ways, including offering timely support at the time of diagnosis in hospitals and providing community-based interventions, such as mobility support, independent living advice and employment services.

Last year also saw the commencement of the Eye Clinic Liaison Service, which is located at the Mater Hospital, the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital and Temple Street Children's University Hospital.

"Working with the NCBI in delivering the Eye Clinic Liaison Service has proven very beneficial to the patient. Reassuringly for them, it offers timely practical advice and emotional support to help them understand their diagnosis and discuss next steps," commented Prof David Keegan, a consultant ophthalmologist at the Mater Hospital.

As a charity, the NCBI needs to raise €3 million every year just to keep operating at current levels. According to Mr White, it "continues to struggle with inadequate and insufficient State funding".

However, the report did note that 2018 saw the continued expansion of the NCBI retail chain, from 96 shops in 2017 to 109 last year. This makes the NCBI the second largest charity shop chain in the country.

This increase in shops resulted in a 14% rise in profits, which was spent on more frontline services.

"By supporting our shops, customers not only generate funds for our services, but also our drive to support the environment through the re-use and recycling of fashion and furniture," the charity said.

For more information on the NCBI, click here.