New Film About Eye Care Services for People With Learning Disabilities in Durham

27 January 2022

 

A short film promoting the special eye care service for people with learning disabilities in the Durham region has been produced.

The film was made by Durham County Council, The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company and national charity SeeAbility.

The film explains that people with learning disabilities are 10 times more likely to have serious sight problems, but don’t always get the eye care that they need. It has three core messages:

• Looking after our eyes is something that we all need to do.
• Our eyes to be healthy and for us to be able to see well.
• The best way to do this is by having an eye test every 2 years, or more often if needed.

The eye care service is for people with learning disabilities and autism in Durham Dales, Easington, and Sedgefield. Participating practices can offer longer appointments and easy to understand information for people with learning disabilities, following the LOCSU pathway.

The film explains how people can use this service, and which practices offer it locally.

Participating Optometrist Simon Berry said:

“It’s great to demonstrate a pathway that puts Optometry at the forefront of care for patients who have learning disabilities. It’s a truly innovative and inclusive service, we all hope that other areas of healthcare can learn from this approach.”

The film follows on from work carried out by peer educators to make people with learning disabilities ‘eye care aware’.

To see the film and find out more information about the service, please click here.

For more information about eye care for people with learning disabilities, click here.