LEARNING DISABILITY PRACTICE April 2009 | Volume 12 | Number 3 37
Feature
have the skills or time to examine effectively people
with learning disabilities. And some professionals still
believe that eye care surgery for cataracts and other
conditions is unavailable or unwise for people with
learning disabilities. Professional testing is the only
way to get accurate information about an individual's
vision. eye tests can identify sight-threatening
conditions and other previously hidden medical
problems, such as diabetes. the RnIb, the charity for
people with sight loss, recommends that everyone
has a sight test every two years, or more frequently if
suggested by their GP or optometrist.
Strategies of support
there are a number of strategies and approaches
that can be used to support someone with learning
disabilities before, during and after a sight test. Here
are some examples:
Plan in advance and be positive about the
experience. Make sure that the appointment is
made at a time of day when the person is most
likely to be relaxed.
there is a directory of optometrists who have
registered their services for people with learning
disabilities at www.lookupinfo.org. Domiciliary
optometrists will visit people who cannot get to
high street or community services.
Visit the optometrist several times to become
familiar with the environment and meet the
optometrist and staff before the eye test.
Research together what will take place at the
optometrist and practise putting glasses on and
off; shining dull torches at each other's face,
`Some professionals still believe
that eye care surgery for cataracts
is unavailable or unwise for people
with learning disabilities'
pointing to and matching pictures, and practising
applying eye washes.
Gather as much information as possible about the
person's sight (and how he or she uses it).
www.lookupinfo.org has forms that can be
downloaded entitled `telling the optometrist about
me' and `Feedback from the optometrist'.
Changes in people's behaviour or decreases in
skills and communication can indicate sight
problems, as can persistent eye rubbing or
poking. take any concerns to the GP.
Follow the advice of the optometrist. Make sure
that eye care information or information about
glasses is given in plain english.
Make sure information is recorded in the person's
health action plan and is regularly reviewed.
An optometrist might refer the person to the GP
or a specialist eye hospital. this might be because
of cataracts or more serious visual impairments
have been identified. Make sure that an eye
surgery action plan is developed to support the
person through the medical intervention.
Reference
Department of Health (1998) Signposts for Success in Commissioning
and Providing Health Services for People with Learning Disabilities.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/
PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4008585 (Last accessed: March 17 2009.)
Martin Thomas is information
manager at the Look Up
Information Service, Epsom,
Surrey
Case study
Brenda, 49, spent her days
with her face pressed up close
to the television and she loved
to watch what she could of
her favourite programme,
Match of the Day. Someone
said that she only did this
because she wanted to have
the TV all to herself. After a
visit to the optician she was
found to be extremely short
sighted and to have a cataract
in her left eye. After treat-
ment, Brenda can now watch
the TV from an armchair and
is also able to follow a live
game from the stands at her
favourite team's grounds.
For more information about eye care and vision for people with learning disabilities
go to www.lookupinfo.org or phone 0800 121 8900
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