BLIND and partially sighted people are having to wait years to get vital help in their homes, say campaigners.

Disability rights groups have expressed concern about the length of time it takes for some patients to be registered blind.

Visual aids, home adaptations and benefits are a few of the items patients cannot get access to until they are registered by health boards with local authorities.

Irene Fraser, of Galston, Ayrshire, says she is still waiting for help almost three years after being diagnosed as almost blind.

The 51-year-old, who is also disabled, lost most of her sight after suffering a stroke. She was diagnosed by doctors in March 2004 but is still waiting to be registered.

Irene says she struggles to cope with everyday tasks, such as housework and shopping, and relies on her 30-year-old son Scott for help.

She said: "It is just the simple things. I can't read letters sent to me and I mislay things all the time.

"It would be useful for me to have someone visit the house to help me out.

"I am angry about the length of time it has taken. There seems to be a lot of people being bypassed by the system."

Bob Shields, of Visual Impairment Ayrshire, said vulnerable patients were slipping through the net.

He said Glasgow had fared better than most other health boards, with an average registration waiting time of six weeks.

He said: "People are unaware of the horrendous gap between diagnosis and people getting help. Three years is ridiculous.

"There are people who can't fend for themselves. This gap is critical because people get home after being diagnosed and they quickly lose confidence and self esteem.

"There could be hundreds in this position.

"Service from the local sensory impairment teams within Ayrshire varies from excellent to poor.

"East Ayrshire is diabolical and, as far as other areas are concerned, it is a postcode lottery."

A spokeswoman for Ayrshire and Arran Health Trust said: "We are unable to comment on individual cases, but if an individual has concerns about their treatment they should contact the appropriate local authority or, through their GP, the hospital service."