Our fantastic Special Schools Eye Care Team has been shortlisted for an RNIB See Differently Award in recognition of their work providing sight tests, glasses and follow up care to children with special needs.

They have been shortlisted in the Team of the Year category. This award recognises a team that has made a significant contribution to improving the lives of blind and partially sighted people by working together and making a positive impact.

Our Special Schools Eye Care Team hold eye clinics in special schools across North-West London, South-East London and some parts of South-West London. When the service was established in 2013 it was the first model of its kind in the UK, providing a ‘one stop shop’ of eye care, namely sight tests, glasses, information and follow up care to children with special needs, many who had never received any form of eye care before.

Last year, our team performed 2,800 eye tests and have found half of children in special schools have a sight problem, most often the need for glasses.

Before the service was introduced, 44 per cent of the children had no eye care history and yet half of the children have a problem with their eyes. The evidence produced by the special school eye care service led to a government commitment to provide eye care services in all special schools, a service which is being rolled out from April 2024.

Malvi Patel, our Clinical Lead Optometrist, says:

“For many children with additional needs, a visit to a hospital eye clinic or high street opticians can be frightening. They’re in rooms they aren’t familiar with, they might see a different person every time, and the equipment looks scary. They feel anxious and don’t want to engage.

“We are led by the children. We go wherever they feel most comfortable – We’ve fitted glasses on a trampoline and done eye tests under tables. We try and make their appointment like a game.

“Every day as a team we see how access to eye care and the right support is transforming the lives of children with learning disabilities. Their families tell us how needed the service is given all the challenges and demands they face, and teachers and schools have the information they need to help every child maximise their vision and so learning. It would mean the world to our team to know all the hard work and dedication they put into their clinics is being recognised."