Learning disability training and consultancy services

On these pages you can find out more about our specialist training and consultancy for commissioners, optometrists and health and social care professionals working with visual impairment, learning disability and dementia.

About VILD

The prevalence of sight loss among people with a learning disability or dementia is far greater than previously thought. Our research revealed that when a learning disability or dementia is the main condition, sight loss is often overlooked. This means sight conditions often go undetected and untreated. This risks unnecessary damage to the eye, can severely diminish a person's quality of life and may lead to an increase in behavioural problems.

• 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability and almost ten per cent of them are blind or partially sighted.

• 750,000 people in the UK have dementia and at least 100,000 - but probably more - also have significant sight loss.

Supporting someone with a dual diagnosis can be far more challenging than supporting someone who lives with one condition or the other.

Designing and implementing an efficient referral pathway helps ensure that everyone with a learning disability or dementia has their vision regularly assessed and that those with sight loss are given the appropriate treatment and support they need.