Sjónstöð operates under the law and is under the Ministry of Social Affairs.

The service is dependent on a referral from a doctor.

Sjónstöðin services:

• Visual impaired individuals with a medical diagnosis of less than 30% vision in the better eye, with normal glasses, and a field of vision less than 20 degrees, or functional assessment shows difficulties due to visual impairment when reading a 10-point font with normal glasses.

• Blind with a medical diagnosis of less than 5% vision with normal binoculars and within a 10 degree field of vision.

• Individuals with integrated visual and auditory impairment (deafblind) who are limited in activities and participation in society to such an extent that special services are needed and the environment needs to be adapted or special technical equipment needs to be used to meet the needs of the individual.