Better eye care for people with learning disabilities ‘needed’

People with learning disabilities are struggling to access high quality eye care services, it has been claimed.

According to Mencap, the learning difficulties charity, over 90 people, many of whom had a learning disability, joined MPs and peers to voice their concern over the current level of eye care available.

Tom Clarke MP and Mencap president Lord Rix led the discussions, which highlighted “several important issues” such as the need for more learning disability awareness training for opticians.

The need for better access to eye care information for patients was also highlighted at the event, which was supported by Mencap, SeeAbility, the Royal National Institute of Blind People and the Eye Health Alliance.

Mr Clarke said: “It was fantastic to engage with a wide variety of stakeholders, and it was heartening to see so many individuals and charitable organisations coming together to begin this hugely important campaign.”

There are an estimated 210,000 people with severe and profound learning disabilities in England, according to the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities.

test Filed under eye care | Tags: eye care | Comment (0)