Eye care

We provide extraordinary support and champion better eye care for people who have learning disabilities or who are autistic, many of whom have sight loss.

People with learning disabilities are 10 times more likely to have serious sight problems. Given there are more than one million people with learning disabilities in the UK, it's really important we keep on fighting for their right to good eye care. Read more about our eye care research. 

We are tackling health inequalities in eye care for people with learning disabilities in several important ways:

  • Providing expert information and advice through awareness raising, peer to peer education and free downloadable resources.
  • Improving the lives of over 2,000 children in special schools with specialist eye tests and support with glasses.
  • Changing the way the eye care system works through our research and campaigns.

You may not know if someone has a sight problem. There may be no obvious signs of poor eye health or even sight loss. This is why we recommend that everyone with a learning disability has a eye test every two years or more often if advised. Sight problems are so common for people with learning disabilities, you should assume that someone has a sight problem unless it's proven that they don't.

Find an optometrist

Search our database of optometrists and dispensing opticians who have shared information on their services for people with learning disabilities.

Find an optometrist

Eye care resources

Search our resources which have been created to help people with learning disabilities, families, supporters and eye care and learning disability professionals.

Browse resources

Joanne, an eye care champion, speaking to a room of people

Every Day in Focus - our Eye Care Champions

Read about our Every Day in Focus campaign's Eye Care Champions, supporting people with learning disabilities and autism to access the eye care they need.

Find out more
Joanne, an eye care champion, speaking to a room of people
Adam having an eye test

Eye tests

Without regular eye tests, there is a risk of permanent sight loss from eye conditions that could have been treated.
Nasir wearing glasses

Eye conditions

People with diagnosed eye conditions need prompt access to treatment to avoid sight loss which can often be irreversible.
Child getting eye test

Children and young people

Children with learning disabilities are more at risk of having problems and may be less likely to be able to communicate them, so regular eye care is essential.
Lee having an eye test

Eye health

Adults and children with learning disabilities are far more likely to have a serious sight problem than other people, so eye health is extremely important.  
Emily trying on glasses at an eye test

Wearing glasses

Six in ten adults with learning disabilities need glasses, but it can sometimes be a challenge to adjust to wearing them.
Looking at a pair of glasses

Eye care training

We specialise in developing and delivering training about eye care and vision in relation to people who have learning disabilities across the UK. 
Redhill supported living

Looking for specialist support and accommodation in Redhill?

Nestled between the bustle of Redhill and the beauty of the North Downs is a new development of modern flats and shared houses, where our teams are supporting people with visual impairments to live independent and ambitious lives.

Find out more
Redhill supported living
Adults with learning disabilities are ten times more likely than others to have serious sight problems. Watch our film "10 Times More Likely" to get an introduction to eye care.
Grace smiling

Grace's story

From a very early age, Grace has had problems with her eyes. She had surgery on her cataracts when she was less than a year old, had Charles Bonnet Syndrome in her 20s, and has glaucoma. It took Grace a while to get the eye care she needed.

Read Grace's story
Grace smiling

If you are an eye care professional and you would like to use or adapt our forms, or want any help or advice in developing or improving eye care services for people with a learning disability, then please contact Steve Kill (National Manager - Eye Care and Vision) on 07738 040 307 or email s.kill@seeability.org.