How can barriers to eye care be removed for adults with learning disability? A review... (C-100550)
11 December 2020
Volume 21, Issue 4
This paper describes the common visual problems associated with learning disability in adult patients.
Domains covered
Professionalism
Clinical practice
Adults with learning disability are less likely to access regular eye examinations, despite being 10 times more likely to have serious sight problems compared to other adults. Commonly reported barriers to accessing eye care services include a lack of awareness of the importance of regular eye care, problems with communication, concerns regarding entering an unfamiliar environment and a lack of experience/ training for practitioners in examining people with learning disabilities. This paper describes the common visual problems associated with learning disability in adult patients and provides evidence-based advice on how eye care professionals can reduce the barriers preventing equitable eye care.
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