LEARNING DISABILITY PRACTICEApril 2009 | Volume 12 | Number 336
Feature
Improving access to sight testing
for people with learning disabilities
About one third of people with learning disabilities
have significantly impaired sight, according to the
Department of Health (DH 1998). there is a high rate
of under-detection of sensory impairments among
learning disabled people, most of which can be
successfully treated.
Approximately half of all adults with learning
disabilities do not have regular sight tests and
they are therefore at risk of living with undetected
sight problems that can markedly affect their
lives. this is more likely to occur if the person has
communication difficulties and cannot let other
people know of their concerns or of any change to
their sight.
As people grow older they are likely to experience
deterioration in their vision as part of the normal
ageing process, and people with learning disabilities
are no different from anyone else in this regard. but
some correctable sight problems may be mistaken
for signs of confusion, anxiety and forgetfulness in
individuals who are not able to readily communicate
about their deteriorating vision.
the DH (1998) states that people should not be
discriminated against on grounds of disability, that
everyone has the right to a sight test and that no
one is too disabled to have their sight tested. Yet the
assumptions of others often results in people with
learning disabilities not accessing eye care services.
Carers and supporters can think that a person will
be unable to tolerate wearing glasses; that they will
not cope with the eye test at the optician's, or with
the questions they will be asked at the examination.
optometrists sometimes assume that they do not
People with learning disabilities may be missing out
on appropriate eye care because their deteriorating
eyesight goes unnoticed. Martin Thomas argues
that there is no excuse for them to have anything
other than optimal eye care, and suggests how
carers can improve the chances of people getting
the help they need.
Keywords
Visual impairment, eye tests
Summary
Helping people with learning disabilities to get the best from a visit
to an optician requires some preparation. Martin Thomas suggests
simple measures to maximise the benefits
People with learning disability
might find it helpful to visit the
optometrists to practise putting
on glasses, and talk to staff,
before taking an eye test SeeAbility
SeeAbility

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