D&A provides special service

Sheffield branches of Dollond & Aitchison aim to improve sight tests for people with learning disabilities, having appointed optical advisers for all four branches following training given by SeeAbility.

Specialist equipment has been purchased and longer appointments introduced to facilitate the tests. Optometrists are receiving training in Makaton signing, to help them communicate with individuals with speech difficulties.

D&A is working closely with charity SeeAbility, formerly The Royal School for the Blind, and is planning to extend the training to other areas of the country. SeeAbility's eye 2 eye campaign enables people with a learning disability to access appropriate eye care.

Director of information and advisory services Paula Spinks-Chamberlain said: 'People with a learning disability are more likely to have a significant visual impairment, but they are less likely to have eye tests and often cannot communicate that they have a problem.'