Visual Impairment Learning Disability service (VILD)

The prevalence of sight loss among people with a learning disability or dementia is far greater than previously thought.

Of the 1.5 million people in the UK with a learning disability, one in ten have significant sight loss. And of the 750,000 people in the UK with dementia, at least 100,000 - but probably more - also have significant sight loss

When a learning disability or dementia is the main condition sight loss is often overlooked, which can result in unnecessary damage to the eye and diminish a person's quality of life.

If you provide services to, or work with people with a learning disability or dementia, our Visual Impairment and Learning Disability Services (VILD) can help you:

• improve referral pathways
• provide appropriate treatment
• deliver support and training
• spot undiagnosed sight loss
• understand the consequences of undiagnosed sight loss.

We also have specialist expertise in providing sight tests for people with a learning disability and in training optometrists to carry out tests.

Learning disability training and consultancy services

We offer the following services for professionals who work with people with learning disabilities and sight loss:

• Learning disability and dementia training for social care
• Learning disability consultancy services for commissioners
• Learning disability training for optometrist

Find out more about VILD

To find out more about VILD's learning disability and dementia training and consultancy services, email learningdisability@rnib.org.uk or call us on 0141 772 5588.

Find out more about VILD services in Scotland.

Find out more about Self Directed Support in Scotland.