Scotland

Research into learning disability and sight problems

Summary: Current state of knowledge on the incidence of sight problems among people with learning disability.

• Research objectives
• Research results
• The Bridge to Vision project
• Further information

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People with learning disabilities are known to be a socially excluded group. Many will have an unidentified sight problem which requires assessment and support. Identification of sight problems followed by appropriate support can result in high impact benefits.

Research objectives

The objective of the research undertaken by RNIB Scotland staff has been to determine the extent to which a person with a learning disability is likely to have a sight problem which is unrecognised at the point of providing community care services. (An independent research project at Lennox Castle Hospital near Glasgow in the early 1990s recorded a figure of 94 per cent. See Scottish Medicine Vol. 16 No. 3 1997)

The RNIB Scotland research set out to establish:

• The number of patients before discharge from hospital who had an undetected sight problem.
• The number of people with a learning disability receiving community support after discharge from hospital who had undetected sight problems.
• The best practice models for providing visual assessment and rehabilitation services for this client group. Working with health, social work and voluntary organisations in eight locations in Scotland, 330 service users have been involved in the programmes.

Research results

In a study of 120 hospital patients approximately 90 per cent were found to have significant sight problems which had not formed part of their discharge programme.

Of 60 learning disabled community service users known to social workers, 52 had undetected sight difficulties.

New tools and techniques for visual assessment for the group were identified through the process. Three field studies were conducted:

• Merchiston Hospital, Renfrewshire (Word 575KB)
• Midlothian Council (Word 629KB)
• Realise Project, Clydebank (Word 122KB)

The findings of these research projects were the basis of a presentation by RNIB Scotland staff at the Vision 2005 conference in London. The presentation addressed how to identify, measure and assess the vision of adults with learning disability and previously undetected sight difficulties and how to provide services to them.

Research-based service development

Resulting from these research findings new service models were established, These included models for day service rehabilitation, community outreach and tenancy support. Training programmes for health, care and optometry staff and other professionals have been developed.

The Bridge to Vision project

RNIB Scotland was co-organiser of the ground-breaking Bridge to Vision Conference held jointly with Ayrshire and Arran NHS in Kilmarnock, Scotland, in December 2003.

A report on the Bridge to Vision project was published in March 2008. Read the Executive Summary (PDF, 265K)

Further information

For further information about VILD research contact us.

Content author: mike.brown@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 25/03/2008 14:15