Coloboma is a relatively rare congenital condition where tissue in or around the eye is missing. The condition is present from birth because it occurs when the eye develops in the womb during the first three months of growth.
Coloboma can occur in one or both eyes (bilateral coloboma), and there are different types of the condition because different parts of the eye’s structure can be impacted.
The type of coloboma will influence the extent of vision loss and what treatments are available. Not all forms of coloboma cause sight loss, but if it does impact your vision and you’re registered as sight impaired, then support is available. You can find more information on the causes, symptoms, and treatments on the NHS’ coloboma page.
In the following video, Lyn shares her experience of living with coloboma.
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The extent to which coloboma impacts daily life depends on how much it affects your vision. For example, with iris coloboma which affects the coloured part of the eye, most people still retain a good amount of sight.
On the other hand, if your retina, macula, or optic nerve are affected, a vision impairment is more likely to occur. If this is the case, you or your child may need some adjustments and aids around the house and at work or school to minimise the impact on daily life.
Additionally, coloboma can lead to other eye conditions, such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, or cataracts. If coloboma or any other eye condition affects your vision, Guide Dogs can offer support to help you live independently and well.
If your coloboma causes visual impairment, you can still work with some support. Your employers have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments to meet your needs at work. Some adjustments could include:
The Access to Work scheme also provides employers with grants to buy equipment or services to support you at work.
That said, some job roles do require a specific level of vision in both eyes, such as being a pilot, a police officer, and some armed forces roles. Ask your child's eye specialist for more information when they start thinking about their career choices.
Many people living with coloboma won't experience reduced vision and should have no problems with driving.
Even if your vision is affected, you may be able to drive if your sight meets the DVLA's minimum required eyesight standard, so speak to your ophthalmologist for advice.
If you develop another condition, such as cataracts or glaucoma, this could affect your eyesight, and you may need to notify the DVLA.
There are various resources, charities, and services that can support you or your child with coloboma. Practical support can help with the skills needed for an independent, active life. Additionally, emotional support can help address the feelings you or your child might sometimes have about living with a vision impairment.
As it’s not always possible to tell how a child's vision will be affected by coloboma, early support is key to making the most of their vision as it develops. Here are a few tips:
If your coloboma means you're living with a visual impairment, there's lots of support and advice available:
There are also a range of organisations to support you or your child:
Speaking to Guide Dogs made me realise that there’s lots of people out there like me. I would say to anyone who is suffering from sight loss to reach out to support groups, and they will show you that you don’t have to go through it alone.
You can contact us to find out about services and support tailored to your individual needs.
Coloboma can be considered a disability, but it depends how much vision is lost and how much it impacts the person’s daily life.
Guide Dogs is committed to working alongside people with a range of vision impairments, who are registered as either sight-impaired or severely sight-impaired.
Our staff undergo comprehensive training in supporting individuals with vision impairment, to enable us to support you every step of the way through one of our many services, with and without dogs. We foster knowledge of living with vision impairment and create content in collaboration with our Vision Rehabilitation Specialists and Habilitation Specialists.
This content is periodically reviewed as we continue to embrace new knowledge and up-to-date information, in order to improve how we deliver our services and advice.
Please note: Whilst Guide Dogs may be able to suggest various third-party websites which may be able to assist you, those are not endorsed by Guide Dogs. Guide Dogs have no control over those third parties and cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information and support they can provide or the suitability and quality of any products or services they provide.
Learn about our range of services to support children and young people, helping to provide them with the skills they need to live an independent and active life.
Our experts can help you find ways to live actively, independently and well with sight loss.