The Retina UK Helpline – 0300 111 4000 is for people with inherited sight loss, their relatives and anyone who wants to know more about these conditions.
Please note: the Retina UK helpline is not a crisis line, if you are in crisis please contact Samaritans on 116 123 who are available 24/7. If you would prefer not to talk but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258, who offer a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in crisis and need immediate help.
We are here for you whether you have a question about your condition, are looking for ways to cope with daily living situations, are seeking information about benefits, employment, education or anything else that may be of interest to you. We will be able to answer your question or signpost you to a relevant organisation that can.
Perhaps you just need a safe place to speak to someone who genuinely understands. The helpline gives the opportunity to discuss feelings or concerns with a trained volunteer who either lives with, or has a close family member with, inherited sight loss.
The Retina UK Telephone Helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm and from 5.00pm to 8.00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. An answering service is in place at other times and messages left from within the UK will be returned as soon as possible. For people calling from outside of the UK, please leave your email address so we can get in touch.
Local rate call
Please note: the Retina UK helpline is not a crisis line, if you are in crisis please contact Samaritans on 116 123 who are available 24/7. If you would prefer not to talk but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258, who offer a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in crisis and need immediate help.
Email helpline
You can also email the Retina UK Helpline at any time at Helpline@RetinaUK.org.uk. We aim to respond to all emails within 48 hours.
The Retina UK Helpline services cannot provide medical diagnoses or counselling, and any information given is intended only as a guide. You should speak to your GP or consultant for any urgent medical queries.
If English isn’t your first language, we can arrange interpreting services via LanguageLine. so please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
If you have hearing loss, speech difficulties or are Deafblind, you may find it easier to contact our Helpline using a text relay service called Relay UK. It can read aloud your written responses or type your spoken responses.
You can access the Relay UK service via an app on your smartphone or tablet, or through a Textphone (also known as a Minicom or Uniphone).
We also offer a number of online support groups.
Outside of the UK
If you are calling the Helpline from outside of the UK the cost of the call will be at the local call rate as outlined by your country’s service provider. Please dial +44 300 111 4000 or email helpline@RetinaUK.org.uk. Please note that we are unable to return calls to numbers outside of the UK.
A huge thank you to The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, who are kindly supporting the Helpline.