If your eyesight has deteriorated since you started using continence products you may be sufficiently familiar with them to be able to carry on without a problem. If your eyesight deteriorates over time, you will probably be able to learn to gradually compensate for changes. There are no product types which require perfect vision if compensatory measures can be taken to enable safe and effective use.

However, poor sight can present some important problems in the management of bladder and bowel problems.

The use of some continence products such as pads or male appliances can be associated with sore skin. It is important that skin exposed to urine or faeces is regularly checked for the start of a skin problem, especially if you have reduced sensation in the area. If your eyesight is poor you may be unable to identify reddening of the skin in order to take precautionary measures.

Similarly, you might not notice blood in your urine, which may be related to damage resulting from catheterisation.

Product suggestions

The sections below give information about product choice and poor eyesight. Click on the links to be taken to the relevant product sections for more detail.

Absorbent products

• When you are familiar with the products, it should be possible with impaired vision or by touch to tell the difference between pads of different shapes and sizes, and to find the front and back and inside and outside surfaces. For example, the inner surfaces of pads tend to feel very different from the waterproof outer surfaces, and the “rear” of pads tend to have larger absorbent area than the “front”.

• However, it may be useful to have help in buying products because you may have difficulty reading details on packaging or seeing distinguishing colours or patterns used by product manufacturers to distinguish products that look very similar but have different absorbencies or sizes.

You can read more information about all types of absorbent products in the sections on Absorbent products for women and Absorbent products for men.

Catheters

• Many people who use intermittent catheters are supplied with the correct size and type regularly. However, selecting catheters may be a problem if you purchase them yourself and must select from the range available. If you find this difficult, it may be easiest to order your catheters from an online or telephone company that can deliver to your door.

• In many countries indwelling catheters are supplied by the health care provider who will be putting the catheter in place, so that they will guide the selection. However, in some countries users have to purchase indwelling catheters themselves and will have to select the correct size and type.

• Male and female length catheters are relatively easy to distinguish in terms of length.

• Catheters often come in very similar packaging and the catheters themselves may vary only in quite subtle ways. For example, catheters vary in width by only 0.4mm and therefore it is hard to determine the size (diameter as opposed to length) of a catheter without reference to packaging.

• Some intermittent catheters have 'raised text' on the funnel end (similar to braille) and can therefore be 'read' by touch. Others have different coloured funnel ends to denote their size which may help where sight is impaired.

• For many women, with or without visual impairment, intermittent catheterisation is a procedure that is done largely by touch and intuition that grows with practice, rather than by actually seeing the urethral opening. Men can also learn to perform intermittent catheterisation without being able to see the urethral opening.

You can find more information about catheters here.

Male devices

• With practice you may well be able to apply a sheath or other male device by touch.

• Sheaths come in a wide range of sizes which differ by very small amounts and come in very similar packaging, so you may have difficulty distinguishing between them.

• Most men who use sheaths have a supply of the correct size and type, so selecting sheaths is only a problem if you must select from a range when renewing your supply. If you find this difficult, it may be easiest to order your sheaths from an online or telephone company that can deliver to your door.

• The important thing with male devices is to be able to check your skin and you may have to ask a helper to do this.

You can find more information about male devices and sheaths here.

Female Devices

• Even with impaired vision with practice you may be able to insert these devices.

You can find more information about female devices here.

Toileting aids

• Most urinals and other toileting devices are substantial products with a shape and opening that should be easy to identify by touch.

• Setting down a urinal after use may be difficult with impaired vision. It may be a good idea to try urinals that have a wide base or use those with a non-spill adaptor or lid.

• Sit-on devices, e.g. raised toilet seat or commode, must be firmly secured in place (over the toilet or with locked wheels) for safe use so you are advised to check the position of such devices before sitting down.

Follow these links to find more information about toileting aids for women and toileting aids for men.

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