VICTA Parent Voice – Restless eyes: the link between vision impairment and sleep

In the latest episode of the VICTA Parent Podcast, we explore the connection between vision impairment and sleep.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and the @VICTAUK YouTube Channel.

Raising a child with a visual impairment brings daily challenges, and sleep deprivation can make those challenges even more intense. With around 80% of visually impaired individuals experiencing sleep difficulties, it’s important to better understand how these two areas are connected.

This episode explores the potential links between visual impairment, sensory needs, and sleep. It aims to help parents not only understand why these challenges occur, but also how to support their child in developing healthy sleep habits.

Sleep, like any other skill, comes more naturally to some than others. If your child finds this skill difficult, there are practical steps you can take to support their learning. A good starting point is understanding how sleep works, and how factors such as reduced light perception and sensory processing differences can affect it.

Where to listen!

To get in touch with the podcast team, send us an email at podcast@victa.org.uk!

The production was supported by The Sleep Charity, Makia Sound and The Family Sleep Specialist.

Below are links to all of the organisations involved and supporting resources.

Find out more about VICTA’s sleep service for parents of a vision impaired child:

victaparents.org.uk/vi-child-sleep

Or get in touch at sleep@victa.org.uk