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.

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Lions Car Draw proceeds to go toward eye care

Lake of the Woods Lions are pleased to donate more than $30,000 from their Christmas Day car draw. Proceeds will go towards still more improvements to eye care at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

The service club joined with Lions across Northwestern Ontario to donate $300,000 within four years to cataract surgery at the hospital in Kenora. Lake of the Woods members also give to the Pinecrest birthday party and Flag Day in February, the annual Easter egg hunt at the Harbourfront in April, the run for guide dogs in May, as well as Royal Canadian Air Cadet 645 Sqdn. based at the Armouries.

Families in need of extra help with glasses or wheelchair assistance can apply for funding. The local Lions are part of District 5M10, which includes Northwestern Ontario and Northeastern Minnesota.

The Lions next conference will be held in Duluth in February, with 250 to 300 members from across the district expected to attend.

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