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Eye Care and People with a Learning Disability
Jun 1, 2024
The importance of looking after your eyes
Eye Care and People with a Learning Disability
Looking after your eyes is very important and everyone can have an eye test with the right help.
Good eye care can make life easier, safer and more fun.
This guide gives simple information to help people, families and carers look after eye health
Why it matters
- People with a learning disability are much more likely to have sight problems.
- Adults are 10 times more likely to have serious sight problems.
- Children are 28 times more likely.
- Many do not get regular eye tests or treatment.
Common sight problems
- Needing strong glasses
- Squint (eye turn)
- Uncontrolled or jerky eye movements
- Developmental problems with the eyes
- Damage to the optic nerve
- The brain not processing vision properly (cerebral visual impairment)
- Higher risks with certain conditions (Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism)
- Early cataracts or keratoconus (changes to the cornea)
- Diabetes-related problems (retinopathy, glaucoma)
Impact of sight loss
Losing your sight can impact on your independence and mobility. It is also may make you more at risk of falls, accidents or delf-injury. This can cause fear, anxiety and depression. Additionally, losing your sight can affect your communication and learning. All of this can make your daily life harder.
Barriers to care
- Many people with a learning disability miss out on sight tests
- Families or carers may not know tests are possible or important
- Some assume people cannot be tested if they can’t read or speak
- Eye care staff may lack training or confidence
- Practical problems: transport, cost, or inaccessible clinics
What helps
- Regular eye tests – everyone can be tested with the right support
- Reasonable adjustments, such as; longer appointments, easy-read information, quiet, accessible rooms and different types of vision tests (not just letters)
- Trained staff who understand learning disabilities
- Support from carers/families to book and attend appointments
- Specialist services in some areas for children and adults
With the right support, people with a learning disability can get the eye care they need.
In Conclusion
Regular eye tests and reasonable adjustments help people stay independent and safe.
If there are changes in vision or concerns about the eyes, seek help from a family member, carer, or eye care professional.
For more information:
- SeeAbility: Offers advice on eye care for people with learning disabilities and can be contacted at 01372 755 000.
- RNIB: Provides support and advice on sight loss and learning disabilities. Contact them at 0303 123 9999 or by asking Alexa to “call RNIB Helpline“. You can also contact the NI team on [email protected].
- nidirect: Provides general information on eye care in Northern Ireland.
- Your local optician: Can make adjustments to make eye tests more accessible.
- Easy Read
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- How to be eye care aware – SeeAbility
- Having an eye test – SeeAbility
- How to use eye drops – SeeAbility
- Glaucoma – SeeAbility
- Cataracts – SeeAbility
- Having cataract operation – SeeAbility
- Diabetes and your eyes – SeeAbility
- Diabetic eye screening – SeeAbility
- About me and my eyes – SeeAbility
- Eye test results form – SeeAbility
- Wearing glasses (easy read hub) – SeeAbility
- Useful Information