Press Release issued: 29 October 2010.
A project highlighting that one in three people with a learning disability may also have sight problems has won a national award for its work.
The Royal National Institute of Blind People's 'Bridge to Vision' initiative has received a Herald Society Partnership Award as an 'outstanding example of collaboration that really demonstrates benefits for service users'. The Herald is the biggest-circulation Scottish broadsheet newspaper.
Bridge to Vision - training optometrists to test sight in people with learning difficulties
The pioneering project - developed with Glasgow Caledonian University and Optometry Scotland - delivers training to optometrists and eyecare staff to ensure that people with a learning disability have their vision fully assessed.
There are approximately 120,000 people with a learning disability in Scotland and as many as a third might also have sight loss. But for thousands this may go ignored because they can't communicate the problem. Meanwhile, carers and professionals can put diminished capabilities and challenging behaviour down to the disability.
Moving away from the eye-chart with innovative new sight tests
John Legg, director of RNIB Scotland, said: "Several conditions - such as Down's Syndrome and cerebral palsy - are particularly likely to cause eye problems. We have designed Bridge to Vision to help optometrists identify sight problems using different methods. For instance, half of the people with a learning disability may also have difficulty reading the alphabet - so the traditional eye-chart may not be an appropriate testing method for them.
"Bridge to Vision follows the entire eye-care process, from how to best gather information from a client before the appointment, to what tools and techniques can be used to diagnose sight problems. It explains the alternative testing methodologies available, as well as the key considerations for dispensing and clinical decision-making. This will lead to a better quality of life and reduce future health and social care costs."
The prevalence of sight problems increases dramatically with the severity of the learning disability and with age. One report found this client-group generally experience eye problems ten years earlier than the general population.
The impact can be especially devastating - loss of vision significantly affects a person's ability to manage their daily living, reduces confidence and increases vulnerability.
Sight tests can detect early signs of Alzheimer's disease
Eye tests can also detect the first signs of Alzheimer's disease, which people with a learning disability are more likely to develop before the age of 30. Confirming the condition is present early on can have a major impact on the success of treatment.
Peter Carson, an optometrist and chair of the professional body Optometry Scotland said: "Working with RNIB to support people with learning disabilities is so different. A challenge both professionally and personally, you need to think out the box, be flexible, expect the unexpected. But what a buzz when you find someone who has an undiagnosed high refractive error and you can correct this. What a difference it makes to the quality of life for that individual and what a world of opportunity opens up!"
Ends.