© SeeAbility 2011 Access to Eye Care for People with Learning Disabilities Stephen Kill eye 2 eye Manager London and South East

© SeeAbility 2011 About SeeAbility National charity established 1799 as Royal School for the Blind Recognised expertise in sight loss and multiple disability 2005 eye 2 eye Campaign launched 2007 launched Public Health Messages

© SeeAbility 2011 Public Health messages 1 People with learning disabilities are 10 times more likely to have serious sight problems than other people. People with severe or profound learning disabilities are most likely to have sight problems. People with learning disabilities may not know they have a sight problem and may not be able to tell people. Many people think the person with a learning disability they know can see perfectly well.

© SeeAbility 2011 Public Health messages 2 6 in 10 people with learning disabilities need glasses and often need support to get used to them. People with learning disabilities need to have a sight test every two years, sometimes more often. Regular sight tests and wearing glasses helps people stay healthy and get the most from life. SeeAbility, RNIB, Vision 2020, Department of Health, Mencap.

© SeeAbility 2011 Eye problems and conditions commonly associated with Learning Disabilities Strabismus Nystagmus Refractive error Cataract Keratoconus Cortical Visual Impairment – CVI

© SeeAbility 2011 Why don’t people receive good eye care? People don’t understand why an eye test is so important. Diagnostic overshadowing. Sometimes people find medical appointments difficult. Poor advocacy. Poor testing methods and lack of time. Communication difficulties during the eye test. Difficulties understanding and sharing the results of an eye test. Access to glasses. People may not be referred to appropriate services due to their learning disabilities

© SeeAbility 2011 Look Up resources, free to download Search for an optometrist Optometry forms Hospital Eye Clinic form Functional Vision Assessment Easy Read information Eye Surgery Support Plan Sections for – people with learning disabilities – carers and supporters – eye care professionals.

© SeeAbility 2011 SeeAbility Training Training courses for health & social care staff – Functional Vision Assessment – Go See To It – Skills for Life Training for Hospital Eye Clinic staff Training for optometrists Eye care workshops for people with learning disabilities More information at Public and bespoke courses available

© SeeAbility 2011 How can we help? Come and talk to your team / local events Improving liaison between Sensory and LD Teams Advising about how eye care is addressed in health facilitation and annual health checks Supporting Hospital Eye Clinic services Developing Enhanced Eye Test services

© SeeAbility 2011 Other useful contacts Sensory Impairment Team –Assessment –Mobility –Aids and adaptations –Information and advice Eye Clinic Liaison Officer –Links Eye Clinic patients to other services

© SeeAbility 2011 Contact Details Stephen Kill SeeAbility eye 2 eye Manager London & the South East Mobile: