The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published the full list of 45 eye conditions that qualify claimants for up to £114 in weekly Personal Independence Payment (PIP) support. Fresh DWP figures released in September show 61,778 active PIP claims linked to vision problems, while overall PIP claimant numbers broke the four-million mark in April 2026.
PIP claims surpass four million
According to YorkshireLive, total PIP claims climbed to 4,010,098 from 3,926,015 recorded in January. The government-run benefit is designed to help cover extra living expenses for individuals managing long-term disabilities, severe health struggles, or terminal illnesses.
As of April 2026, a total of 45 eye conditions could make individuals eligible for regular financial support, designed to aid those who require extra assistance with everyday tasks.
How PIP payments work
PIP provides support to those who need help managing daily living tasks, particularly people of State Pension age who wish to preserve their independence at home. Rather than being paid at a single flat rate, the disability benefit is split into two components, determined by how a claimant's condition affects their ability to live independently.
The daily living component addresses the additional expenses associated with managing routine tasks. The standard rate stands at £76.55 per week, while the enhanced rate offers £114.80. The mobility component tackles the difficulties of moving about. The basic rate for this component is £30.20, with a higher level of £80.10.
Eligibility and qualifying conditions
By meeting the criteria for the enhanced daily living rate and a portion of the mobility support, eligible claimants could see their weekly total reach the £187 mark - amounting to £748 per month. Eligibility for PIP isn't determined by National Insurance contributions and it's not means-tested - which means that even if you're working, have savings, or are in receipt of other benefits, you can still qualify for the payments to assist you with daily living tasks.
PIP isn't automatic, and the DWP will evaluate how challenging claimants with the condition find daily living and mobility tasks. According to the DWP, to receive PIP you must experience difficulty with tasks most of the time. This means that you expect to encounter difficulty more than half of the days over a 12-month period.
Full list of qualifying eye conditions
Below is the complete list of qualifying eye conditions and the number of associated claims as of April 2026, according to the DWP:
- Conjunctiva cornea eyelids and lacrimal apparatus - Other diseases of / type not known - 1,315
- Corneal ulceration - 96
- Entropion - 7
- Herpes zoster - ophthalmic - 19
- Keratitis - 115
- Keratoconus - 1,408
- Orbital cellulitis - 9
- Ptosis - 35
- Scleritis - 36
- Anterior Uveitis (iritis) - 253
- Chorioretinal disorders - Other / type not known - 396
- Posterior (choroiditis) - 66
- Glaucoma - 4,141
- Eyes - Injuries to - 597
- Posterior vitreous detachment - 38
- Vitreous disease - Other / type not known - 122
- Vitreous haemorrhage - 123
- Diabetic retinopathy - 2,011
- Hypertensive retinopathy - 53
- Macular degeneration - 3,331
- Optic atrophy - 1,449
- Optic neuritis - 322
- Retina and optic nerve - Other diseases of / type not known - 4,164
- Retinal artery occlusion - 108
- Retinal detachment - 1,108
- Retinal vein occlusion - 145
- Retinitis Pigmentosa - 5,123
- Retinopathy - Other / type not known - 1,040
- Cataract - 1,849
- Astigmatism - 129
- Hypermetropia (long-sighted) - 66
- Myopia (short-sighted) - 489
- Refractive errors - Other / type not known - 134
- Eye movement - Other disorders of / type not known - 454
- Nystagmus - 2,120
- Strabismus (Squint) - 65
- Amblyopia - 179
- Cortical blindness - 9,361
- Diplopia (double vision) - 399
- Hemianopia - 262
- Quadrantanopia - 11
- Scotoma - 15
- Tunnel vision - 563
- Visual field defects - Other / type not known - 4,682
- Vision - Other diseases affecting / type not known - 13,377
