How can you spot if someone with a learning disability may have sight loss or need glasses?

There may be no obvious signs of poor eye health or even sight loss. Its recommended anyone with a learning disability has an eye test every two years.

In some cases family or support workers might notice a change that could indicate an undiagnosed sight condition such as:

Pulling objects very close to their eyes
Screwing up, rubbing or poking eyes
One eye turning in/out or ‘wandering’ (a squint)
Becoming less interested in reading or looking at things they may have looked at previously
Lack of co-ordination and bumping into things
Behaviour change, such as being more withdrawn or frustrated or not recognising people
Unusual eye movements or the eyes not looking straight.

A Functional Vision Assessment (FVA) can also be very useful in finding out more information on how someone uses their vision. An FVA is an observational tool that can be used to recognise how a person with learning disabilities might be using their sight. It can give an indication of what a person might not see, or have difficulty seeing.

A Functional Vision Assessment can be very useful before someone attends an eye test/exam or eye clinic appointment to identify problems that may or may not be treatable.

SeeAbility have an easy-to-use tool, suitable for use by carers, supporters and learning disability professionals, which can be found on their website. It should be completed by someone who knows the person with learning disabilities well. Website.

How can you spot if someone with a learning disability may have sight loss or need glasses?

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