DOCET

Full Synopsis

Vision is the key to learning, communication and movement.  it is the key sense that peolpe use to make sense of their environment and the people around them.  Vision is the 'driving force' creating motivation.  Yet developing an understanding of the world may be particularly difficult for people with learning disabilities - not just because of any cognitive impairment they have, but because they often also have uncorrected refractive errors, sight-threatening eye infections or unidentified visual impairment. 

People with learning disabilities may never receive the eye care they need to make the most of the vision they have.  Optometrists can greatly enhance the quality of life of thousands of children and adults with learning disabilities. 

Learning Objectives

• To raise awareness amongst optometrists about patients with learning disabilities and their special needs
• To dispel myths and preconceptions which produce barriers and reduce access to high quality eyecare for people with learning disabilities
• To equip optometrists and practice staff with the skills to welcome learning disabled patients in a sensitive and caring practice
• To increase the skill levels of optometrists in examining, prescribing and dispensing for learning disabled patients
• To increase significantly the number of optometrists prepared to provide appropriate care to the learning disabled population