A BASILDON father who lost much of his sight due to glaucoma has regained his confidence and independence thanks to an Essex Sensory support service.

Femi Hassan, 56, is sharing his experience of living with sight loss and the difference specialist support from ECL has made to his life, in support of National Eye Health Week (21-27 September 2026).

The awareness week organised by Vision Matters, raises awareness of the importance of regular eye tests in detecting conditions such as glaucoma, which often develops without early symptoms.

More than two million people in the UK are living with life altering sight loss, half of which is avoidable by having regular eye tests (source: Vision Matters).

While glaucoma cannot be prevented, a sight test can detect early signs of the condition, which can be treated if found soon enough.

After his vision deteriorated because of glaucoma, Femi found everyday tasks increasingly difficult and became reliant on family members to help him leave the house.

Prior to his sight loss, Femi had always lived an active and independent life. This loss of independence made him feel isolated, frustrated and down.

Following a referral from his GP, he began receiving support from ECL's Sensory Service in summer 2025.

Over the last 12 months, Femi has received a wide range of support from ECL that he describes as 'transformative'.

He said: "From day one of ECL being involved, things started to change for me. Losing your sight can make you feel like you're losing your independence, but ECL showed me the support available and gave me my independence back."

ECL's Sensory Team provided Femi with practical aids and adaptations at home to help him live safely and independently, training on how to use assistive technology, and long cane training so that he could get out and about independently.

The service also helped him to access wider support, including a sighted guide and local support services.

12 months on, Femi's confidence has been restored and he can now get out and about independently again, travelling to the shops and getting public transport on his own.

Femi said: "I didn't realise there was so much help available. Thanks to ECL, I can now get to the shops, the station and appointments independently again. They've transformed my confidence and quality of life."

Tara Klave, ECL Sensory Rehabilitation Worker said: "Femi was incredibly determined from the start. It has been a privilege to see the confidence and independence he has regained. Being able to travel safely and independently within his community has helped him reconnect with the activities and people that are important to him."

This support has made such a difference to Femi that he is now keen to become an ECL Lived Experience Ambassador, sharing his story as part of ECL's Sensory Awareness training program.

ECL's Sensory Service supports people who are partially sighted, blind, hard of hearing, Deaf or Deafblind to live independently, safely and with dignity.

It also helps businesses and organisations be more sensory aware and inclusive through: CPD‑accredited sensory awareness training, sighted guide and communication awareness training, British Sign Language courses and workshops and accessibility audits.

Regular sight tests can also detect other health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Find out more about protecting your eye health.

Find out more about ECL's Sensory Service

To contact the ECL Sensory Team email [email protected] or call 0333 013 3262.